History · Civics Polity

Modern Indian History

8,125 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 general knowledge history

The Grand Trunk Road was built by:

  1. Harsha Vardhan

  2. Shashank

  3. Sher Shah Suri

  4. Samudra Gupta
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Sher Shah Suri constructed the Grand Trunk Road, one of Asia's oldest and longest major roads, connecting Sonargaon in Bengal to Peshawar. It was built for trade and military movement.

Multiple choice general knowledge
  1. One of India's biggest businessmen is the only grandson of Mohammed Ali Jinnah. Who is he?

  1. Nusli Wadia

  2. Habil Khorakhiwala

  3. Arvind Dubash

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

Nusli Wadia is the grandson of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan. His mother Dina Wadia (née Jinnah) was Jinnah's only daughter. Nusli Wadia is a prominent Indian industrialist leading the Wadia Group. The other options are not related to Jinnah's family lineage.

Multiple choice general knowledge

X was founded in 1924 by Master Sunder Singh Lyallpuri, founder-father of the Akali Movement. History states that Mahatama Gandhi himself laid the foundation of X and Devdas Gandhi (son of Mahatma Gandhi) was one of its first employees. Khushwant Singh, the famous sikh also worked here at a point of time. X is based in Delhi and is a part of the KK Birla group. Identify X

  1. Indian Express

  2. Hindustan Times

  3. Tata Salt

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

Hindustan Times was founded in 1924 by Master Sunder Singh Lyallpuri, and Mahatma Gandhi laid the foundation stone. It's part of the KK Birla group and based in Delhi. Indian Express was founded earlier (1932) by Ramanathan Goenka. Tata Salt and Atlas Cycle don't match the newspaper description.

Multiple choice general knowledge

Who said this? "India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only."

  1. Albert Einstein

  2. Mark Twain

  3. Charles Babbage

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

Mark Twain, during his visit to India in 1896-97, made this famous quote praising India's ancient civilization and contributions to human knowledge. The quote reflects his admiration for India's rich cultural heritage. Options A, C, and D are incorrect - Einstein never made such a statement about India, Charles Babbage was a computer science pioneer, and Churchill had complex views on India but this quote is not his.

Multiple choice general knowledge

The Government of India recognizes the first week of January as what?

  1. PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS

  2. INDIA YOUTH WEEK

  3. ATULYA BHARAT DIVAS

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

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-Resident Indian Day) is celebrated on January 9th each year to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915. While the question says 'first week,' the official observance is specifically on January 9th, but it is indeed celebrated in early January. This is the only authentic option among the choices.

Multiple choice general knowledge

India was the motherland of our race, and Sanskrit the mother of Europe's languages: she was the mother of our philosophy; mother, through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics; mother, through the Buddha, of the ideals embodied in Christianity; mother, through the village community, of self-government and democracy. Mother India is in many ways the mother of us all".

  1. newton

  2. will durant

  3. Mark twain

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

Will Durant, the American historian and philosopher (1885-1981), wrote this passage in 'The Story of Civilization: Our Oriental Heritage' (1935). He acknowledged India's foundational role in human civilization, influencing language, philosophy, mathematics (through Arabs), religion (Buddhism's influence on Christianity), and democratic ideals (village communities). This passage reflects Durant's extensive study of Indian contributions to world culture.

Multiple choice general knowledge history

In the course of resistance against which of the following in South Africa did Gandhiji first use his new political weapon which came to be known later on as 'Satyagraha'?

  1. Peace Preservation Ordinance

  2. Natal Indenture Law

  3. Asiatic Law Amendment Act

  4. Immigrants Regulation Act
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Gandhiji first used Satyagraha in 1906 against the Asiatic Law Amendment Act in South Africa. This law required Indians to register and carry passes, leading Gandhi to organize mass resistance through non-violent methods.

Multiple choice general knowledge history

Gandhiji, the hero of the satyagraha struggle of the Indians in South Africa, landed in Bombay on ____________.

  1. January 9, 1915

  2. January 26, 1915

  3. February 10, 1915

  4. February 20, 1915
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Gandhiji returned to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915, arriving in Bombay. This marked the end of his 21-year stay in South Africa and the beginning of his involvement in the Indian independence movement.

Multiple choice general knowledge history

Who advised Gandhiji to remain as an observer and student in the country for a year before taking part in Indian Politics?

  1. B. G. Tilak

  2. G. K. Gokhale

  3. Anne Besant

  4. Rabindranath Tagore
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Annie Besant advised Gandhiji to observe Indian politics for a year before participating, given his lack of familiarity with the Indian political context after two decades in South Africa. This was during his early interactions with Indian leaders in 1914-1915.

Multiple choice general knowledge history

Before the civil disobedience or non-co-operation movement could be effectively launched, Gandhiji suspended it because of an outbreak of mob violence at Chauri Chaura in the sate of.....

  1. Gujarat

  2. Bihar

  3. Punjab

  4. Uttar Pradesh
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Chauri Chaura incident occurred in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh in 1922, where protestors set fire to a police station killing 22 officers. Gandhi suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement as it violated his principle of non-violence.

Multiple choice general knowledge history

Who was nominated by Gandhiji to lead the satyagrahais on the Dandi March in the event of his arrest?

  1. Jawaharlal Nahru

  2. Vithalbhai Patel

  3. Abdul Gaffar Khan

  4. Abbas Tyabji
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Abbas Tyabji, a respected judge and freedom fighter, was nominated by Gandhiji to lead the Dandi March in case of his arrest. This succession planning ensured the march would continue even without Gandhi's direct leadership. After Tyabji was later arrested, Sarojini Naidu took over the leadership.

Multiple choice general knowledge history

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on

  1. October 2, 1840

  2. October 2, 1869

  3. October 2, 1880

  4. October 2, 1896
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. This date is commemorated annually as Gandhi Jayanti in India and International Day of Non-Violence worldwide. The options 1840, 1880, and 1896 are incorrect and don't align with historical records.

Multiple choice general knowledge history

Gandhiji confessed his guilt of stealing for the purpose of smoking in a letter, promising never to steal in future and asking for adequate punishment. To whom was this letter addressed?

  1. Father

  2. Elder Brother

  3. Mother

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

Gandhiji wrote a confession letter to his father, acknowledging his theft of money and gold for smoking. He expressed deep remorse, promised never to steal again, and requested appropriate punishment. This act reflected his commitment to truth and integrity from a young age. The letter demonstrated his moral courage and respect for his father.