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.

Indian freedom struggleIndian National CongressFamous historical leadersSocial reform movementsColonial administration

Modern Indian History Questions

Multiple choice

With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the provinces were

  1. directly elected by the people of those provinces

  2. nominated by the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League

  3. elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies

  4. selected by the Government for their expertise in constitutional matters
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The members of the Constituent Assembly were elected indirectly by the members of the individual Provincial Legislative Assemblies.

Multiple choice

Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century?

  1. Introduction of a new system of land revenue and taxation of tribal products

  2. Influence of foreign religious missionaries in tribal areas

  3. Rise of a large number of moneylenders, traders and revenue farmers as middlemen in tribal areas

  4. The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The first option is rejected because it used the term “tribal products”. The second option is rejected because NOT in all areas, the impact of foreign missionaries was seen. The third option is also NOT correct, because not all areas saw the rise of money lenders. The fourth option is correct and it includes everything what happened in that era. The most common thing was the foreign interference in the indigenous world of the tribals which dismantled the structure that existed since centuries.

Multiple choice

With reference to the period of colonial rule in India, “Home Charges” formed an important part of drain of wealth from India. Which of the following funds constituted “Home Charges”?

  1. Funds used to support the India Office in London
  2. Funds used to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in India
  3. Funds used for waging wars outside India by the British

  1. 1 only

  2. 1 and 2 only

  3. 2 and 3 only

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

'Home Charges' were expenses incurred by the British colonial administration in India that were paid out of Indian revenues but sent to Britain. These included: 1) Funding the India Office in London, 2) Salaries and pensions of British personnel in India, and 3) Costs of wars waged outside India (like wars in Afghanistan and Burma). All three constituted Home Charges, representing a significant drain of wealth from India to Britain.

Multiple choice

Annie Besant was

  1. responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement
  2. the founder of the Theosophical Society
  3. once the President of the Indian National Congress

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 and 3 only

  3. 1 and 3 only

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

Annie Besant had formed and led the Home Rule Movement as she was influenced by the Irish Home Rule League. She also became the President of Indian National Congress in 1917. But she was not the founder of the Theosophical Society; rather she was the second President of the society. The founder was Henry Steel Olcott.

Multiple choice

The demand for the Tebhaga Peasant Movement in Bengal was for

  1. the reduction of the share of the landlords from one-half of the crop to one-third

  2. the grant of ownership of land to peasants as they were the actual cultivators of the land

  3. the uprooting of Zamindari system and the end of serfdom

  4. writing off all peasant debts
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Tebhaga Movement is a peasant movement in the history of Bengal. It was a movement of the peasants who demanded two-thirds share of their produce for themselves and one-third share to the landlord.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. Arya Samaj was founded in 1835.
  2. Lala Lajpat Rai opposed the appeal of Arya Samaj to the authority of Vedas in support of its social reform programme.
  3. Under Keshab Chandra Sen, the Brahmo Samaj campaigned for women’s education.
  4. Vinoba Bhave founded the Sarvodya Samaj to work among refugees.

Which of these statements are correct?

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 2 and 4

  4. 3 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Arya Samaj was founded in 1875 (not 1835) at Bombay by Dayananda Saraswati. Though Lala Lajpat Rai was a follower of Arya Samaj, but he never opposed it.

Multiple choice

During the colonial period in India, what was the purpose of the Whitley Commission?

  1. To review the fitness of India for further political reforms

  2. To report on existing conditions of labour and to make recommendations

  3. To draw up a plan for financial reforms for India

  4. To develop a comprehensive scheme for Civil Services in India
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Whitley chaired the Royal Commission on Labour in India, which reported in 1931.

Multiple choice

The aim of education as stated by the Wood's Despatch of 1854 was

  1. the creation of employment opportunities for native Indians

  2. the spread of western culture in India

  3. the promotion of literacy among the people using English medium of language

  4. the introduction of scientific research and rationalism in the traditional Indian education
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Wood's Despatch of 1854 is considered as the Magna Carta of English education in India. Option 3 is incorrect as it recommended English as the medium of instructions for higher studies and vernaculars at school level.

Multiple choice

Name the two Indian refomists who responded to the ideas coming from revolutionary France?

  1. M.K. Gandhi and Tipu Sultan

  2. Tipu Sultan and Rammohan Roy

  3. M.K. Gandhi and Rammohan Roy

  4. Saronjini Naidu and Rammohan Roy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Tipu Sultan (1751-1799) and Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833) were contemporaries of the French Revolution (1789-1799) and were influenced by its revolutionary ideals. Gandhi was born much later (1869).