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

'Men and the City' is the autobiography of

  1. Martin Luther King

  2. Saddam Hussain

  3. Julfikar Ali Bhutto

  4. Liyaqat Ali Khan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'Men and the City' is the autobiography of Saddam Hussein, the former President of Iraq, covering his early life, political rise, and time in power. Martin Luther King wrote autobiographical works but not this title, while Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Liaquat Ali Khan were Pakistani politicians who wrote different works.

Multiple choice

What are the Directive Principles for shaping India into a Gandhian State?

  1. Organization of village panchayts.

  2. Promotion of prohibition.

  3. Promotion of Khadi and village industries.

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

Gandhian Directive Principles include organizing village panchayats (Article 40), promoting prohibition (Article 47), and promoting Khadi and village industries. These reflect Gandhi's vision of decentralized governance and rural self-sufficiency. Option D correctly encompasses all Gandhian principles.

Multiple choice

Who composed our national song?

  1. G. Orwell

  2. M.C. Chatterjee

  3. M. Tendulakar

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

The national song of India 'Vande Mataram' was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (also spelled Chatterjee or Chatterji). It appeared in his novel Anandamath in 1882. The song became a rallying cry during the Indian independence movement and was honored alongside the national anthem.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is true in context of the passage?

Directions: Read the passage to answer the question given below.
Political education may be defined as the preparation of a citizen to take well informed, responsible and sustained action for participation in the national struggle for the realisation of the socio-economic objectives of the country. The overriding socio-economic objectives in India are the abolition of poverty and the creation of a modern democratic, secular and socialist society in place of the present traditional, feudal, hierarchical and inegalitarian one.

Under the British rule, the congress leaders argued that political education was an important part of education and refused to accept the official view that education and politics should not be mixed with one another. But when they came to power in 1947 they almost adopted the British policy and began to talk of education being defiled by politics. ‘Hands off education‘ was the call to political parties of that time. But in spite of it, political infiltration into the educational system has greatly increased in the sense that different parties vie with each other to capture the minds of teachers and students. The wise academicians wanted political support, without political interference. What we have actually received is infinite political interference. This interference with the educational system by political parties for their own ulterior motives is no political education at all; and with the all round growth of elitism, it is hardly surprising that real political education within the school system (which really means the creation of a commitment to social transformation) has been even weaker than in the pre-independence period.

At the same time, the freedom struggle came to an end and the major non-formal agency of political education disappeared. The press could and did provide some political education. But it did not utilise the opportunity to the fullest and the stranglehold of vested interests continued to dominate it. The same can be said about political parties as well as about other institutions and agencies outside the school system which can be expected to provide political education. All things considered, it appears that we have made no genuine progress in political education in the post independence period and even slid back in some respects. For instance, the education system has become even more elite-oriented. Patriotism has become the first casualty. Gandhiji gave us the courage to oppose the government when it was wrong, in a disciplined fashion and on basic principles. He believed the means to be as important as the ends and taught us to work among the poor people for mobilising and organising them. Today we have even lost the courage to fight on basic issues in a disciplined manner because agitation and anarchic politics for individual, group or party aggrandisement has become common. The education system of today continues to support domination of the privileged groups and domestication of the underprivileged ones. The situation will not change unless we take vigorous steps to provide genuine political education on an adequate scale. This is one of the major educational reforms we need; and if it is not carried out, mere linear expansion of the existing system of normal education will only support the status quo and hamper radical social transformation.

  1. British rulers wanted Indian education system to be influenced by politics.

  2. Academic institutions receive genuine political support.

  3. Real political education should aim at creating an elitist society.

  4. The Indian press could not curb the vested interests of a few.

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

As per the passage, 'The press could and did provide some political education. But it did not utilise the opportunity to the fullest and the stranglehold of vested interests continued to dominate it'.

Multiple choice

Our national song “Vande Mataram” was composed by

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

  3. Iqbal

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

Vande Mataram is the national song of India. The lyrics were written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, in a mix of Sanskrit and Bengali. The song was written in 1876.

Multiple choice

Who said the famous quote, “Give me blood and I promise you freedom”?

  1. Mahatma Gandhi

  2. Lok Manya Tilak

  3. Jawaharlal Nehru

  4. Subash Chandra Bose
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Subhas Chandra Bose famously gave the 'Give me blood, and I promise you freedom' speech in Burma in 1944 to motivate the Indian National Army (INA). He was known for his militant approach to gaining independence and formed the Azad Hind Fauj with Japanese support. Gandhi, Tilak, and Nehru were associated with non-violent or different strands of the freedom movement.

Multiple choice

The famous Surat split took place in the year

  1. 1907

  2. 1987

  3. 1900

  4. 1904
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Surat Split of 1907 was a major division in the Indian National Congress between the Moderates (led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale) and the Extremists (led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak). The split occurred over differences in methodology regarding achieving self-rule. 1987 is an implausible distractor, and 1900 and 1904 are close but incorrect dates.

Multiple choice

Who wrote 'An Autobiography'?

  1. Indira Gandhi

  2. Dr.S. Radhakrishnan

  3. Jawaharlal Nehru

  4. Mahatma Gandhi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Jawaharlal Nehru wrote 'An Autobiography' (1936) covering his life up to 1935, focusing on India's independence movement. While other leaders have autobiographies with similar titles, this is the standard reference in Indian political history contexts.

Multiple choice

Who wrote 'An Idealist View of Life'?

  1. Indira Gandhi

  2. Dr.S. Radhakrishnan

  3. Jawaharlal Nehru

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

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan wrote 'An Idealist View of Life' (1932) as a series of lectures presenting his philosophical perspective. The book explores idealistic philosophy and its relevance to life, ethics, and spirituality.

Multiple choice

India was declared free in accordance with

  1. Montague Declaration

  2. Cripps Declaration

  3. Cabinet Mission

  4. Mountbettan Plan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Mountbatten Plan (June 3, 1947) was the final British plan for India's independence and partition. It established the deadline for transfer of power (August 15, 1947), created the boundary commission, and outlined the partition of India and Pakistan. Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy, implemented this plan leading to independence.

Multiple choice

The founder of Brahmo Samaj was

  1. Swami Vivekanand

  2. Raja Ram Mohan Roy

  3. Ram Krishan Param Hans

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

Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 in Calcutta. This socio-religious reform movement opposed idolatry, caste discrimination, sati, and child marriage while promoting monotheism, rationalism, and women's rights. Roy is considered the 'Father of Modern India' for his pioneering reforms that influenced later movements like the Bengal Renaissance.

Multiple choice

Shanti Niketan was founded by

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. Jawaharlal Nehru

  3. Dr. Rajendra Prasad

  4. Dr. Zakir Hussain
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Shanti Niketan (now Visva-Bharati University) was founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1901 as a residential school and centre for art, culture, and education. Tagore established it to implement his educational philosophy of learning in harmony with nature. Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, and Zakir Hussain were prominent Indian leaders but not associated with founding this institution.

Multiple choice

The Civil Disobedience Movement was started

  1. with the people offering themselves to be sent to jail

  2. to compel the Government to call Round Table Conference

  3. with a meeting held against the Government

  4. with Gandhiji's march against Salt Act
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Civil Disobedience Movement was formally launched with Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) in March 1930, where he marched 240 miles to the Arabian Sea to make salt in defiance of the Salt Act. This was a direct challenge to British monopoly and taxation. While people did offer themselves for arrest and Round Table Conferences were related events, the Salt March was the defining starting point.

Multiple choice

Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded a new institution which proved good not only for the religion but for the social life of India. It was called

  1. Brahamo Samaj

  2. Arya Samaj

  3. Bharat Sewa Dal

  4. Ram Rajya Parishad
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875 to reform Hindu society and promote Vedic teachings. The organization emphasized social reform, education, and a return to the Vedas. Brahmo Samaj was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, while Bharat Sewa Dal and Ram Rajya Parishad were different organizations.