UPSC Prelims Mock Test – Modern History 1

Q1. The French supremacy in India came to an end with the

(a) Battle of Wandiwash
(b) Battle of Plassey
(c) Battle of Buxar
(d) Battle of Panipat

Answer – A

• Option (a) is correct: The British forces under Sir Eyre Coote defeated the French in the Battle of Wandiwash in 1760 and besieged Pondicherry. After Wandiwash, the French capital of Pondicherry fell to the British in 1761

Q2. Why could the British only succeed in trade and commerce in India?

(a) Because of government backing
(b) Quality of merchandise
(c) Naval superiority
(d) All of the above

Answer – C

• Option (c) is correct: Due to naval superiority British only succeeded in trade and commerce in India.

Q3. Which of the following was the main feature of the policy of the Dual Government of British rulers in India

(a) The English collected the revenues with the help of Indian Officials and they became virtually the head of the civil and
military administration
(b) The general administrative body consisted of two categories of officers
(c) The main items of administration were in the hands of local kings and the rest were in the hands of British rulers
(d) Some portions of land were ruled by the local kings

Answer – A

• Option (a) is correct: The English collected the revenues with the help of Indian Officials and they became virtually the head of the civil and military administration

Q4. The first Indian ruler who joined the Subsidiary Alliance was:

(a) the Nawab of Oudh
(b) the Nizam of Hyderabad
(c) Peshwa Baji Rao II
(d) King of Travacore

Answer – B

• The Nizam of Hyderabad
• Option (b) is correct: The Subsidiary Alliance The system was used by Lord Wellesley (Governor General of India) to bring the Indian states within the boundary of the British political power. Under this doctrine, The Nizam of Hyderabad, the feeblest of all rulers was the first Indian ruler to accept the Subsidiary Alliance in 1798 A.D and came under British Protection.

Q5. Consider the following Pairs:

List-I (Year) List-II (Event)
A. 1775 1. First Anglo-Burmese War
B. 1780 2. First Anglo-Afghan War
C. 1824 3. First Anglo-Maratha War
D. 1838 4. Second Anglo-Mysore War

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) A – 4; B – 3; C – 2; D – 1
(b) A – 4; B – 3; C – 1; D – 2
(c) A – 3; B – 4; C – 1; D – 2
(d) A – 3; B – 4; C – 2; D – 1

Answer – C

• First Anglo-Burmese War – Burmese defeated, Treaty of Yandobo (1826);
• First Anglo-Afghan War – Afghans defeated (1838);
• First Anglo-Maratha War – Britishers were defeated, Treaty of Salbai (1782);
• Second Anglo-Mysore War – Haider Ali died and succeeded by Tipu Sultan, the Treaty of Mangalore

Q6. Under the Permanent Settlement, of 1893, the Zamindars are required to issue pattas to the farmers which were not issued by many of the Zamindars. The reason was:

(a) the Zamindars were trusted by the farmers.
(b) there were no officials checking upon the Zamindars.
(c) it was the responsibility of the British government.
(d) the farmers were not interested in getting pattas

Answer – D

• Option (b) is correct: John Shore planned Permanent Settlement and it was introduced in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis. Zamindars were made the owners of the land and the British got a fixed share of 10/11th of the revenue collected by the zamindars

Q7. With reference to the entry of European powers into India, which one of the following statements is not correct?

(a) The Portuguese captured Goa in 1499.
(b) The English opened their first factory in South India at Masulipatam.
(c) In Eastern India, the English Company opened its first factory in Orissa in 1633.
(d) Under the leadership of Dupleix, the French occupied Madras in 1746.

Answer – A

• Option (a) is correct: The Portuguese captured Goa from rulers of Bijapur in 1510 and not in 1499

Q8. Which one of the following statements is not correct?

(a) Ali Mardan Khan introduced the system of revenue farming in Bengal.
(b) Maharaja Ranjit Singh set up modern foundries to manufacture cannons at Lahore.
(c) Sawai Jai Singh of Amber had Euclid’s Elements of Geometry’ translated into Sanskrit.
(d) Sultan Tipu of Mysore gave money for the construction of the idol of the Goddess Sharda in the Shringeri temple

Answer – A

• Option (a) is correct: Farrukhsiyar introduced revenue farming in Bengal.

Q9. Consider the following princely States of the British rule in India:

1. Jhansi
2. Sambalpur
3. Satara

The correct chronological order in which they were annexed by the British is:

(a) 1, 2, 3

(b) 1, 3, 2

(c) 3, 2, 1

(d) 3, 1, 2

Answer – C

Option (c) is correct: These princely states were annexed by Lord Dalhousie under Doctrine of Lapse. Jhansi – 1854, Sambalpur- 1849 and Satara – 1848.

Q10. Consider the following statements:

1. In the Third Battle of Panipat, Ahmed Shah Abdali defeated Ibrahim Lodi.
2. Tipu Sultan was killed in the Third Anglo-Mysore War.
3. Mir Jafar entered in a conspiracy with the English for the defeat of Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer – B

• Option (b) is correct: In the first Battle of Panipat (1526), Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur. In the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), Ahmed Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas. Tipu Sultan was killed in the fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799)

Q11. Which one of the statements given below is correct?

(a) The modern Kochi was a Dutch colony till India’s independence.
(b) The Dutch defeated the Portuguese and built Fort Williams in the modern Kochi.
(c) The modern Kochi was first a Dutch colony before the Portuguese took over.
(d) The modern Kochi never became a part of a British colony

Answer- B

• Option (b) is correct: Modern Kochi became a part of the British colony after being a Dutch colony. Kochi was first a Portuguese colony. Fort Williams was built in Kochi by the Dutch.

Q12. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the battles fought in India in the 18th Century?

(a) Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Buxar Battle of Ambur-Battle of Plassey

(b) Battle of Ambur-Battle of Plassey-Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Buxar

(c) Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Plassey Battle of Ambur-Battle of Buxar

d) Battle of Ambur-Battle of Buxar-Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Plassey

Answer – B

• Option (b) is correct: Battle of Ambur-1749, Battle of Plassey-1757, Battle of Wandiwash 1760, Battle of Buxar-1764

Q13. What was the immediate reason for Ahmad Shah Abdali to invade India and fight the third battle of Panipat?

(a) He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore.
(b) The frustrated governor of Jalandhar Adina Beg Khan invited him to invade Punjab.
(c) He wanted to punish the Mughal administration for non-payment of the revenues of the Chahar Mahal (Gujarat,
Aurangabad, Sialkot and Pasrur).
(d) He wanted to annex the fertile plains of Punjab up to the borders of Delhi in his kingdom

Answer – A

• Option (a) is correct: To avenge their expulsion of Timur Shah, Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India for the fifth time in Oct. 1759, and finally conquered Punjab

Q14. The tendency for increased litigation was visible after the introduction of the land settlement system of Lord Cornwallis in 1793. The reason for this is normally traced to which of the following provisions?

(a) Making Zamindar’s position stronger VisVis the Ryot
(b) Making East India Company an overlord of Zamindars
(c) Making the judicial system more efficient
(d) None of the above

Answer – D

• Option (d) is correct: That the reforms of Cornwallis had increased the litigation and the main reason for this was the Court Fee was removed and now everybody could drag anybody to courts. The extension to right of appeal was also one of the reasons. Court fees were abolished by Cornwallis. Lawyers were to prescribe their fees. Ordinary people could sue the Government servants (Indians) if they committed mistakes. Inhuman punishments such as cutting limbs, noses and ears were abolished. These are some of the reasons that led to increased litigation. The reasons given in the options don’t seem to fit in the criteria of the reforms of Cornwallis

Q15. With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, consider the following statements:

1. The rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government.
2. The Government gave Pattas to the Ryots.
3. The lands were surveyed and assessed before being taxed.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer – c

• Option (c) is correct: Ryotwari settlement, the rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government and the Government gave pattas to the Ryots

Q16. Who among the following was/were associated with the introduction of the Ryotwari Settlement in India during British rule?

1. Lord Cornwallis
2. Alexander Reed
3. Thomas Munro

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer – C

• Option (c) is correct:
• Ruling the Country Side lists the following combinations:
• Lord Cornwallis: Permanent settlement system (1793).
• Alexander Reed and Thomas Munro: Ryotwari Settlement

Q17. In what way Indian cotton industry was inferior to that of England during the British rule in India:

(a) The Indian textile industry had an ever-increasing and large domestic market
(b) There was plenty of raw material available
(c) The industry was not managed by highly skilled technicians and managers
(d) India was the traditional home for cotton textiles

Answer – C

• Option (c) is correct: The industry was not managed by highly skilled technicians and managers. People spun wool or cotton and made it into cloth in their own homes. There was a lack of industrial revolution in India. There were no highly skilled technicians and managers

Q18. Sepoy mutiny of 1857 failed due to the

(a) Lack of effective organization
(b) Lack of unity of purpose
(c) Lack of a unified system of leadership
(d) All of the above

Answer – D

• Option (d) is correct: Reasons of the failure of the Sepoy Mutiny
• Lack of effective organization
• Lack of unity of purpose
• Lack of a unified system of leadership

Q19. With reference to the ‘revolt of the year’ who of the following was betrayed by a ‘friend’ captured and put to death by the British?

(a) Nana Sahib
(b) Kunwar Singh
(c) Khan Bahadur Khan
(d) Tatya Tope

Answer – D

• Option (d) is correct: The British forces had failed to subdue him for over a year. He was, however, betrayed into the hands of the British by his trusted friend, Man Singh, while asleep in his camp in the Paron forest. He was captured on 7 April 1859 by a detachment of native infantry from British General Richard John Meade’s troops led to him by Singh and escorted to Shivpuri where he was tried by a military court

Q20. What was the purpose with which Sir William Wedderburn and W.S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893?

(a) To agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons.

(b) To campaign for the entry of Indians into the Imperial Judiciary.

(c) To facilitate a discussion on India’s Independence in the British Parliament.

(d) To agitate for the entry of eminent Indians into the British Parliament

Answer – A

• Option (a) is correct: On 28 December 1885, the Indian National Congress was founded at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay, with 72 delegates in attendance. Hume assumed office as the General Secretary. Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee of Calcutta was elected President. The additional British Members were William Wedderburn and Justice John Jardine. All others were the Hindus from Calcutta and Madras Presidency. Wedderburn had entered the parliament as a liberal member in 1893 and had sought to voice India’s grievances within the house.

Q 21. Consider the following sessions of the Indian National Congress:

1. The session in which The Muslim League and the Indian National Congress met
   jointly.
2. The Indian National Congress was divided into two groups.
3. The resolution for “Complete Independence” was passed.
4. The Non-cooperation resolution was passed.

The correct chronological sequence of these sessions is
(a) 3 – 4 – 1 – 2
(b) 2 – 1 – 4 – 3
(c) 1 – 2 – 4 – 3
(d) 1 – 2 -3- 4

Answer – B

• Option (b) is correct: The Indian National Congress established in 1885 by A. Hume was divided into two groups in the year 190 7. The Lucknow Pact was an agreement that was reached between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League at the joint session of both the parties held in Lucknow in December 191 6. Gandhi had announced the launching of the Non-Cooperation Movement in August 192 0. The Indian National Congress held its annual session in December 192 9. It voted for “Purna swaraj” or complete independence as against a dominion status for India and passed a resolution fixing the last Sunday of January 1930.

Q22. Consider the following statements about the Indian National Congress:

1. Sarojini Naidu was the first woman to be the President of the Congress
2. C.R. Das was in prison when he functioned as the President of the Congress
3. The first Britisher to become the President of the Congress was Alan Octavian Hume
4. Alfred Webb was the President of the Congress in 189 4.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer – B

• Option (b) is correct: Sarojini Naidu was the second woman to be the President of the Congress (1925, Kanpur) first being Annie Beasant (1917, Calcutta). A.O. Hume was the founder of INC in 188 5. Alfred Webb was the President of the Congress in 1894 at Madras. C.R. Das acted as the President in 1921 in the Ahmedabad session.

Q23. Who among the following leaders proposed to adopt Complete Independence as the goal of the Congress in the Ahmedabad session of 1920?

(a) Abdul Kalam Azad
(b) Hasrat Mohani
(c) Jawahar Lal Nehru
(d) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Answer – B

• Option (b) is correct: Hasrat Mohani proposed to adopt Complete Independence as the goal of the Congress in the Ahmedabad session of 1920.

Q24. At which Congress session was the working committee authorized to launch a program of Civil Disobedience?

(a) Bombay
(b) Lahore
(c) Lucknow
(d) Tripura

Answer – B

• Option (b) is correct: At the Lahore session (1929, President – J.L. Nehru) the working committee was authorized to launch a program of Civil Disobedience

Q25. Who drafted the resolution on fundamental rights for the Karachi session of Congress in 1931?

(a) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Answer – B

• Option (b) is correct: Nehru drafted the resolution on Fundamental Rights. The Karachi session was presided over by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.

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