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.

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Modern Indian History Questions

Multiple choice

Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word 'recalcitrance' as used in the passage.

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question that follows:
           
The strength of Indian democracy lies in its tradition in its tradition in the fusion of the ideas of democracy and national the Indian nationalist movement long before independence, although the British retained supreme authority in India until 1947, the provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war India was not overrun or seriously invaded by the Japanese and after the war was over the transfer of power to a government of the Indian congress party was a peaceful one as far as Britain was concerned . by 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control .
After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India’s old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms, but as nationalists who had led a struggle against alien rule on behalf of all parts of India, they took the cohesion of the Indian nation too much for granted and underestimated the centrifugal forces of ethnic division which were bound to be accentuated rather than diminished as the popular masses were more and a more drawn. Into politics . the congress party was originally opposed to the idea of recognizing any divisions of India on a linguistic basis and preferred to retain the old provinces of British India which often cut across linguistic boundaries; it was only in response to strong pressures from below that the principle of linguistic states was conceded as the basic for a federal Indian union the right granted to the states created new problems for the central government. the idea of making Hindi the national language of a united India was thwarted by the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages, and the autonomy of the states rendered central economic planning extremely difficult. land reforms remained under the control of the states and many large-scale economic projects required a degree of co-operation between the central government and one or more of the states which it was found impossible to achieve.

Co-ordination of policies was difficult even when the congress party was in power both in the states and at the centre; when a congress government in Delhi was confronted with non-congress parties in office in the states, it became much harder.
  1. Provocation

  2. Opposition

  3. Dedication

  4. Amenability

  5. Vulnerability

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 The meaning of 'recalcitrance' is 'resistance'. Amenability is the most opposite.

Multiple choice

Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word 'harder' as used in the passage.

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question that follows:
           
The strength of Indian democracy lies in its tradition in its tradition in the fusion of the ideas of democracy and national the Indian nationalist movement long before independence, although the British retained supreme authority in India until 1947, the provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war India was not overrun or seriously invaded by the Japanese and after the war was over the transfer of power to a government of the Indian congress party was a peaceful one as far as Britain was concerned . by 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control .
After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India’s old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms, but as nationalists who had led a struggle against alien rule on behalf of all parts of India, they took the cohesion of the Indian nation too much for granted and underestimated the centrifugal forces of ethnic division which were bound to be accentuated rather than diminished as the popular masses were more and a more drawn. Into politics . the congress party was originally opposed to the idea of recognizing any divisions of India on a linguistic basis and preferred to retain the old provinces of British India which often cut across linguistic boundaries; it was only in response to strong pressures from below that the principle of linguistic states was conceded as the basic for a federal Indian union the right granted to the states created new problems for the central government. the idea of making Hindi the national language of a united India was thwarted by the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages, and the autonomy of the states rendered central economic planning extremely difficult. land reforms remained under the control of the states and many large-scale economic projects required a degree of co-operation between the central government and one or more of the states which it was found impossible to achieve.

Co-ordination of policies was difficult even when the congress party was in power both in the states and at the centre; when a congress government in Delhi was confronted with non-congress parties in office in the states, it became much harder.
  1. Shorter

  2. Slower

  3. Easier

  4. Larger

  5. Inferior

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 Harder in the context of the passage means 'difficult'. 

Multiple choice

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

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question that follows:
           
The strength of Indian democracy lies in its tradition in its tradition in the fusion of the ideas of democracy and national the Indian nationalist movement long before independence, although the British retained supreme authority in India until 1947, the provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war India was not overrun or seriously invaded by the Japanese and after the war was over the transfer of power to a government of the Indian congress party was a peaceful one as far as Britain was concerned . by 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control .
After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India’s old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms, but as nationalists who had led a struggle against alien rule on behalf of all parts of India, they took the cohesion of the Indian nation too much for granted and underestimated the centrifugal forces of ethnic division which were bound to be accentuated rather than diminished as the popular masses were more and a more drawn. Into politics . the congress party was originally opposed to the idea of recognizing any divisions of India on a linguistic basis and preferred to retain the old provinces of British India which often cut across linguistic boundaries; it was only in response to strong pressures from below that the principle of linguistic states was conceded as the basic for a federal Indian union the right granted to the states created new problems for the central government. the idea of making Hindi the national language of a united India was thwarted by the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages, and the autonomy of the states rendered central economic planning extremely difficult. land reforms remained under the control of the states and many large-scale economic projects required a degree of co-operation between the central government and one or more of the states which it was found impossible to achieve.

Co-ordination of policies was difficult even when the congress party was in power both in the states and at the centre; when a congress government in Delhi was confronted with non-congress parties in office in the states, it became much harder.
  1. During the pacific war India was invaded by Japan

  2. After independence India was faced with the problem of linguistic diversity of the people

  3. Social reforms were neglected by the government

  4. Congress leadership was not as much aware of the problem of ethnic diversity as much as of low production

  5. Land reforms were under the control of the central government

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

  After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second 

Multiple choice

Which of the following issues was not appropriately realized by the central government?

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question that follows:
           
The strength of Indian democracy lies in its tradition in its tradition in the fusion of the ideas of democracy and national the Indian nationalist movement long before independence, although the British retained supreme authority in India until 1947, the provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war India was not overrun or seriously invaded by the Japanese and after the war was over the transfer of power to a government of the Indian congress party was a peaceful one as far as Britain was concerned . by 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control .
After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India’s old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms, but as nationalists who had led a struggle against alien rule on behalf of all parts of India, they took the cohesion of the Indian nation too much for granted and underestimated the centrifugal forces of ethnic division which were bound to be accentuated rather than diminished as the popular masses were more and a more drawn. Into politics . the congress party was originally opposed to the idea of recognizing any divisions of India on a linguistic basis and preferred to retain the old provinces of British India which often cut across linguistic boundaries; it was only in response to strong pressures from below that the principle of linguistic states was conceded as the basic for a federal Indian union the right granted to the states created new problems for the central government. the idea of making Hindi the national language of a united India was thwarted by the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages, and the autonomy of the states rendered central economic planning extremely difficult. land reforms remained under the control of the states and many large-scale economic projects required a degree of co-operation between the central government and one or more of the states which it was found impossible to achieve.

Co-ordination of policies was difficult even when the congress party was in power both in the states and at the centre; when a congress government in Delhi was confronted with non-congress parties in office in the states, it became much harder.
  1. Centre-state relations

  2. A national language for the country

  3. Ethnic diversity of the people

  4. Implementation of the formulated policies

  5. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 The central idea of the passage is that govt was unable to control the issue of ethnic diversity.

Multiple choice

Which according to the passage, can be cited as exercise in democratic practice in India before independence?

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question that follows:
           
The strength of Indian democracy lies in its tradition in its tradition in the fusion of the ideas of democracy and national the Indian nationalist movement long before independence, although the British retained supreme authority in India until 1947, the provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war India was not overrun or seriously invaded by the Japanese and after the war was over the transfer of power to a government of the Indian congress party was a peaceful one as far as Britain was concerned . by 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control .
After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India’s old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms, but as nationalists who had led a struggle against alien rule on behalf of all parts of India, they took the cohesion of the Indian nation too much for granted and underestimated the centrifugal forces of ethnic division which were bound to be accentuated rather than diminished as the popular masses were more and a more drawn. Into politics . the congress party was originally opposed to the idea of recognizing any divisions of India on a linguistic basis and preferred to retain the old provinces of British India which often cut across linguistic boundaries; it was only in response to strong pressures from below that the principle of linguistic states was conceded as the basic for a federal Indian union the right granted to the states created new problems for the central government. the idea of making Hindi the national language of a united India was thwarted by the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages, and the autonomy of the states rendered central economic planning extremely difficult. land reforms remained under the control of the states and many large-scale economic projects required a degree of co-operation between the central government and one or more of the states which it was found impossible to achieve.

Co-ordination of policies was difficult even when the congress party was in power both in the states and at the centre; when a congress government in Delhi was confronted with non-congress parties in office in the states, it became much harder.
  1. The indianisation of the Indian Civil Service

  2. The handing over of power by British to India

  3. Several democratic institutions created by the Indian national congress

  4. A neutral role played by the army

  5. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

 It was the provincial elections of 1937 that provided the oppurtunity of a democratic exercise pre-independence.

Multiple choice

Why was central economic planning found to be difficult?

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question that follows:
           
The strength of Indian democracy lies in its tradition in its tradition in the fusion of the ideas of democracy and national the Indian nationalist movement long before independence, although the British retained supreme authority in India until 1947, the provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war India was not overrun or seriously invaded by the Japanese and after the war was over the transfer of power to a government of the Indian congress party was a peaceful one as far as Britain was concerned . by 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control .
After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India’s old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms, but as nationalists who had led a struggle against alien rule on behalf of all parts of India, they took the cohesion of the Indian nation too much for granted and underestimated the centrifugal forces of ethnic division which were bound to be accentuated rather than diminished as the popular masses were more and a more drawn. Into politics . the congress party was originally opposed to the idea of recognizing any divisions of India on a linguistic basis and preferred to retain the old provinces of British India which often cut across linguistic boundaries; it was only in response to strong pressures from below that the principle of linguistic states was conceded as the basic for a federal Indian union the right granted to the states created new problems for the central government. the idea of making Hindi the national language of a united India was thwarted by the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages, and the autonomy of the states rendered central economic planning extremely difficult. land reforms remained under the control of the states and many large-scale economic projects required a degree of co-operation between the central government and one or more of the states which it was found impossible to achieve.

Co-ordination of policies was difficult even when the congress party was in power both in the states and at the centre; when a congress government in Delhi was confronted with non-congress parties in office in the states, it became much harder.
  1. Lack of will in implementing land reforms

  2. Autonomy given to the states in certain matters

  3. Ethnic diversity of the people

  4. Lack of co-ordination in different government departments

  5. Multiplicity of states and union territories

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 It was the ethnic diversity that led to  the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages and the autonomy of the states . These factors led to difficulty in economic planning.

Multiple choice

The new government could start with effective instrument of central power after independence because _____________________________.

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question that follows:
           
The strength of Indian democracy lies in its tradition in its tradition in the fusion of the ideas of democracy and national the Indian nationalist movement long before independence, although the British retained supreme authority in India until 1947, the provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war India was not overrun or seriously invaded by the Japanese and after the war was over the transfer of power to a government of the Indian congress party was a peaceful one as far as Britain was concerned . by 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control .
After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India’s old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms, but as nationalists who had led a struggle against alien rule on behalf of all parts of India, they took the cohesion of the Indian nation too much for granted and underestimated the centrifugal forces of ethnic division which were bound to be accentuated rather than diminished as the popular masses were more and a more drawn. Into politics . the congress party was originally opposed to the idea of recognizing any divisions of India on a linguistic basis and preferred to retain the old provinces of British India which often cut across linguistic boundaries; it was only in response to strong pressures from below that the principle of linguistic states was conceded as the basic for a federal Indian union the right granted to the states created new problems for the central government. the idea of making Hindi the national language of a united India was thwarted by the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages, and the autonomy of the states rendered central economic planning extremely difficult. land reforms remained under the control of the states and many large-scale economic projects required a degree of co-operation between the central government and one or more of the states which it was found impossible to achieve.

Co-ordination of policies was difficult even when the congress party was in power both in the states and at the centre; when a congress government in Delhi was confronted with non-congress parties in office in the states, it became much harder.
  1. Indian army was organized on the pattern of British army

  2. transfer of power to the Indian congress party was peaceful

  3. process of indianization of the Indian Civil Service had already started

  4. people of India offered their whole hearted supported to the government

  5. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

By 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control.

Multiple choice

The provincial elections of 1937 in India showed that ________________________.

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question that follows:
           
The strength of Indian democracy lies in its tradition in its tradition in the fusion of the ideas of democracy and national the Indian nationalist movement long before independence, although the British retained supreme authority in India until 1947, the provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war India was not overrun or seriously invaded by the Japanese and after the war was over the transfer of power to a government of the Indian congress party was a peaceful one as far as Britain was concerned . by 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control .
After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India’s old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms, but as nationalists who had led a struggle against alien rule on behalf of all parts of India, they took the cohesion of the Indian nation too much for granted and underestimated the centrifugal forces of ethnic division which were bound to be accentuated rather than diminished as the popular masses were more and a more drawn. Into politics . the congress party was originally opposed to the idea of recognizing any divisions of India on a linguistic basis and preferred to retain the old provinces of British India which often cut across linguistic boundaries; it was only in response to strong pressures from below that the principle of linguistic states was conceded as the basic for a federal Indian union the right granted to the states created new problems for the central government. the idea of making Hindi the national language of a united India was thwarted by the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages, and the autonomy of the states rendered central economic planning extremely difficult. land reforms remained under the control of the states and many large-scale economic projects required a degree of co-operation between the central government and one or more of the states which it was found impossible to achieve.

Co-ordination of policies was difficult even when the congress party was in power both in the states and at the centre; when a congress government in Delhi was confronted with non-congress parties in office in the states, it became much harder.
  1. British rule was not popular in India.

  2. supremacy of British in India was likely to be short-lived.

  3. Indians were peace-loving people.

  4. India was capable of bringing into practice the idea of democracy.

  5. Indian congress was the single largest party in India .

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is not true in the context of the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question that follows:
           
The strength of Indian democracy lies in its tradition in its tradition in the fusion of the ideas of democracy and national the Indian nationalist movement long before independence, although the British retained supreme authority in India until 1947, the provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war India was not overrun or seriously invaded by the Japanese and after the war was over the transfer of power to a government of the Indian congress party was a peaceful one as far as Britain was concerned . by 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control .
After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India’s old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms, but as nationalists who had led a struggle against alien rule on behalf of all parts of India, they took the cohesion of the Indian nation too much for granted and underestimated the centrifugal forces of ethnic division which were bound to be accentuated rather than diminished as the popular masses were more and a more drawn. Into politics . the congress party was originally opposed to the idea of recognizing any divisions of India on a linguistic basis and preferred to retain the old provinces of British India which often cut across linguistic boundaries; it was only in response to strong pressures from below that the principle of linguistic states was conceded as the basic for a federal Indian union the right granted to the states created new problems for the central government. the idea of making Hindi the national language of a united India was thwarted by the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages, and the autonomy of the states rendered central economic planning extremely difficult. land reforms remained under the control of the states and many large-scale economic projects required a degree of co-operation between the central government and one or more of the states which it was found impossible to achieve.

Co-ordination of policies was difficult even when the congress party was in power both in the states and at the centre; when a congress government in Delhi was confronted with non-congress parties in office in the states, it became much harder.
  1. The political elite in India rebelled against the British Raj.

  2. By 1947, Indian army was fairly indianized.

  3. Economic development and social reform were initiated soon after independence.

  4. The congress party was originally opposed to the idea of division of states on linguistic basic.

  5. The congress leadership was fully aware of the problem of ethnic diversity in India at the time of independence.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

 The congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India's old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms.

Multiple choice

Why was India not overrun by the Japanese during the pacific war?

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question that follows:
           
The strength of Indian democracy lies in its tradition in its tradition in the fusion of the ideas of democracy and national the Indian nationalist movement long before independence, although the British retained supreme authority in India until 1947, the provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war India was not overrun or seriously invaded by the Japanese and after the war was over the transfer of power to a government of the Indian congress party was a peaceful one as far as Britain was concerned . by 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control .
After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India’s old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms, but as nationalists who had led a struggle against alien rule on behalf of all parts of India, they took the cohesion of the Indian nation too much for granted and underestimated the centrifugal forces of ethnic division which were bound to be accentuated rather than diminished as the popular masses were more and a more drawn. Into politics . the congress party was originally opposed to the idea of recognizing any divisions of India on a linguistic basis and preferred to retain the old provinces of British India which often cut across linguistic boundaries; it was only in response to strong pressures from below that the principle of linguistic states was conceded as the basic for a federal Indian union the right granted to the states created new problems for the central government. the idea of making Hindi the national language of a united India was thwarted by the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages, and the autonomy of the states rendered central economic planning extremely difficult. land reforms remained under the control of the states and many large-scale economic projects required a degree of co-operation between the central government and one or more of the states which it was found impossible to achieve.

Co-ordination of policies was difficult even when the congress party was in power both in the states and at the centre; when a congress government in Delhi was confronted with non-congress parties in office in the states, it became much harder.
  1. Japan was skeptical about its success in the war.

  2. Japan had friendly relations with Britain.

  3. Japan was interested in India's freedom from the British rule.

  4. It was not an advantageous proposition for Japan from the military perspective.

  5. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

 It is not sstated in the passage.

Multiple choice
  1. Lord Ripon

  2. Lord Curzon

  3. Lord Hasting

  4. Lord Macaulay

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Lord Macaulay is famous for his 1835 'Minute on Indian Education', which advocated for the introduction of English as the medium of instruction in India.

Multiple choice
  1. Jawaharlal Nehru

  2. Guru Nanak Devji

  3. Mahatma Gandhi

  4. Guru Gobind Singhji

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'Vidiya Vichari Tan Parupkari' (Knowledge is useful only when it leads to service of others) is attributed to Guru Nanak Dev Ji.