Modern History of India

101. Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champar

Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Active all-India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement” option2=”Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement” option3=”Joining of peasant unrest to India’s National Movement” option4=”Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crops and commercial crops” correct=”option3″]

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The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was Mahatma Gandhi’s first major Gandhian movement in India.
The Champaran movement was specifically centered on the grievances of indigo cultivators, who were peasants exploited under the ‘tin kathia’ system imposed by British planters. Gandhi’s intervention in Champaran involved investigating the situation, organizing the peasants, and using non-violent civil disobedience (satyagraha) to challenge the oppressive system. Its success led to the abolition of the tinkathia system and brought relief to the peasants.
The most significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha was that it successfully linked the local, isolated peasant unrest against specific grievances (indigo cultivation system) to the broader Indian National Movement led by figures like Gandhi. It demonstrated the effectiveness of Gandhi’s method of non-violent protest (Satyagraha) in addressing socio-economic issues and mobilized the peasant class, a large segment of the population, into the fold of the national struggle for the first time in such a prominent and successful manner. While some lawyers assisted Gandhi (like Rajendra Prasad), it was not marked by widespread all-India participation of lawyers, students, and women (A). It focused on the specific peasant issues and did not primarily involve Dalit and Tribal communities as distinct leading groups (B). It led to the abolition of the indigo system in Champaran but not a general drastic decrease in all plantation/commercial crops across India (D).

102. The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company fro

The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century were

[amp_mcq option1=”Raw cotton, oil-seeds and opium” option2=”Sugar, salt, zinc and lead” option3=”Copper, silver, gold, spices and tea” option4=”Cotton, silk, saltpetre and opium” correct=”option4″]

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In the mid-18th century, particularly after gaining significant political influence in Bengal (like post-Battle of Plassey 1757), the English East India Company dramatically increased its exports from the region.
The staple commodities of export by the EIC from Bengal during this period included textiles (cotton and silk fabrics), saltpetre (potassium nitrate, essential for gunpowder), and increasingly, opium. Bengal was a major producer of silk, cotton, and saltpetre. Opium, while initially traded, became a massive export commodity, especially towards China, funding the purchase of Chinese goods like tea and silk.
Option A includes oil-seeds, which were less prominent than textiles or saltpetre as *staple* exports. Option B includes commodities that were either less significant exports (sugar, salt) or primarily imports (zinc, lead). Option C includes precious metals (copper, silver, gold) which were primarily imported into India to purchase goods for export, and tea, which became a major EIC export from India much later, in the 19th century. Spices were more associated with trade from South India and the East Indies initially. Therefore, cotton, silk, saltpetre, and opium accurately represent the major staples exported from Bengal by the EIC in the mid-18th century.

103. Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 1

Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 19th century was the

[amp_mcq option1=”increase in the export of Indian handicrafts” option2=”growth in the number of Indian owned factories” option3=”commercialization of Indian agriculture” option4=”rapid increase in the urban population” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C) commercialization of Indian agriculture.
British rule in the 19th century significantly restructured the Indian economy, shifting it towards serving British industrial and commercial interests.
One of the most pronounced economic results was the forced commercialization of Indian agriculture. Peasants were increasingly compelled to grow cash crops (like cotton, jute, indigo, tea, opium) for the market, particularly for export to Britain and other parts of the world, rather than primarily growing food grains for local consumption. This policy often led to increased dependence on markets, price fluctuations, vulnerability to famines (as food crop area reduced), and indebtedness among peasants. The export of Indian handicrafts declined due to competition from British machine-made goods and discriminatory policies. Growth in Indian-owned factories was slow and limited compared to the decline of traditional industries. While some urban centers linked to trade grew, a rapid, widespread increase in urban population driven by industrialization was not a defining feature of 19th-century British rule in India.

104. After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measure

After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government ?

  • The territories called ‘Santhal Paraganas’ were created.
  • It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2.
Following the Santhal Uprising (1855-56), the colonial government implemented specific administrative and legal measures to address the grievances of the Santhals and prevent future rebellions.
One of the significant outcomes was the creation of the Santhal Parganas district in 1855-56, carved out of parts of Bhagalpur and Rajmahal districts. This was aimed at providing a separate administrative unit for the Santhals. Furthermore, land laws were enacted (like the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, 1885, building upon earlier regulations) that made it illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal, primarily to protect them from exploitation by moneylenders and zamindars who were alienating their land. Both these measures were direct consequences of the uprising aimed at pacification and protection of the Santhals, albeit within the colonial framework.

105. In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935,

In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the

[amp_mcq option1=”Federal Legislature” option2=”Governor General” option3=”Provincial Legislature” option4=”Provincial Governors” correct=”option2″]

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In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, powers were divided into three lists: Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent. The Act explicitly assigned the residuary powers (i.e., powers not enumerated in any of the three lists) to the Governor General.
This distribution of powers was a key feature of the federal structure envisaged by the Act. While legislative subjects were largely enumerated, the allocation of residuary powers to the Governor General (rather than the federal or provincial legislatures) reflected the centralizing tendencies and the ultimate authority retained by the British Crown through its representative.
In independent India, the Constitution places residuary powers with the Union Parliament (Article 248 read with Entry 97 of the Union List), a significant departure from the 1935 Act and a strengthening of the central government compared to the provincial governments.

106. Regarding Wood’s Despatch, which of the following statements are true?

Regarding Wood’s Despatch, which of the following statements are true?

  • 1. Grants-in-Aid system was introduced.
  • 2. Establishment of universities was recommended.
  • 3. English as a medium of instruction at all levels of education was recommended.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option1″]

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The correct option is A because statements 1 and 2 are true regarding Wood’s Despatch, while statement 3 is false.
Wood’s Despatch of 1854 was a significant document outlining the British government’s policy on education in India. It proposed a comprehensive system from primary to university level.
Statement 1 is true: The Despatch recommended the introduction of a system of grants-in-aid to encourage private educational institutions. Statement 2 is true: It recommended the establishment of universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, modeled on the University of London. Statement 3 is false: While it recommended English as the medium of instruction for higher education and for secondary education alongside vernaculars, it specifically recommended vernacular languages at the primary level. It did not recommend English as the medium of instruction at *all* levels.

107. He wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna; s

He wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna; stayed in America for some time; and was also elected to the Central Assembly. He was

[amp_mcq option1=”Aurobindo Ghosh” option2=”Bipin Chandra Pal” option3=”Lala Lajpat Rai” option4=”Motilal Nehru” correct=”option3″]

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The correct option is C, Lala Lajpat Rai. The description accurately matches the historical figure Lala Lajpat Rai, also known as ‘Punjab Kesari’.
Lala Lajpat Rai was a prominent Indian nationalist leader, part of the ‘Lal-Bal-Pal’ trio. He was known for his intellectual and political activities, including writing biographies of inspirational figures and engaging in political advocacy both in India and abroad.
Lala Lajpat Rai authored biographies of Giuseppe Mazzini, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Shivaji, and Shrikrishna. He spent a significant period in the United States from 1914 to 1920, during which he founded the Indian Home Rule League of America in New York. After returning to India, he was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly. These details align perfectly with the description provided in the question.

108. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following even

With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events :

  • 1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy
  • 2. Quit India Movement launched
  • 3. Second Round Table Conference

What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1-2-3″ option2=”2-1-3″ option3=”3-2-1″ option4=”3-1-2″ correct=”option3″]

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The correct option is C, representing the chronological sequence 3-2-1.
The events occurred in the following years:
1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy (RIN Mutiny): February 1946
2. Quit India Movement launched: August 1942
3. Second Round Table Conference: September-December 1931
Arranging them chronologically from earliest to latest: 3 (1931), then 2 (1942), then 1 (1946). This gives the sequence 3-2-1.
The Round Table Conferences (1930-1932) were a series of peace conferences organized by the British Government and Indian political personalities to discuss constitutional reforms in India. The Quit India Movement was a major civil disobedience movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi during World War II demanding an end to British Rule. The RIN Mutiny was an armed uprising of Indian sailors against British rule in the Royal Indian Navy.

109. In the context of Indian history, the principle of ‘Dyarchy (diarchy)’

In the context of Indian history, the principle of ‘Dyarchy (diarchy)’ refers to

[amp_mcq option1=”Division of the central legislature into two houses” option2=”Introduction of double government i.e., Central and State governments” option3=”Having two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi” option4=”Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories” correct=”option4″]

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The principle of ‘Dyarchy’ refers to the division of provincial subjects into two categories.
– Dyarchy (or Diarchy) was a system of double government introduced in British India by the Government of India Act 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms).
– It applied to the provinces. Provincial subjects were divided into two lists: ‘Reserved’ subjects (like finance, police, justice, land revenue) which were administered by the Governor and his Executive Council, who were responsible to the British Parliament.
– ‘Transferred’ subjects (like education, health, local government, public works) were administered by the Governor acting with ministers who were nominated from the elected members of the provincial legislature and were responsible to the legislature. This division of subjects into ‘Reserved’ and ‘Transferred’ is what constituted Dyarchy at the provincial level.
Options A, B, and C describe different aspects of governance structures but do not accurately define the specific principle of ‘Dyarchy’ as implemented in British India. Option A describes a bicameral legislature. Option B describes federalism or double government (Centre and State) but not the specific nature of dual rule *within* the provincial executive. Option C describes the dual control from London and Delhi, which existed, but ‘Dyarchy’ specifically refers to the provincial executive arrangement.

110. Consider the following pairs : 1. Radhakanta Deb — First Preside

Consider the following pairs :

1. Radhakanta Deb—First President of the British Indian Association
2. Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty—Founder of the Madras Mahajana Sabha
3. Surendranath Banerjee—Founder of the Indian Association

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 3 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

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Pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched, while pair 2 is incorrectly matched.
– Pair 1: Radhakanta Deb was the first President of the British Indian Association, which was formed in 1851 by the merger of the Landholders’ Society and the British India Society. This is correctly matched.
– Pair 2: Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty founded the Madras Native Association in 1849. The Madras Mahajana Sabha was founded later in 1884 by M. Veeraraghavachariar, G. Subramania Iyer, and P. Anandacharlu. This is incorrectly matched.
– Pair 3: Surendranath Banerjee, along with Anand Mohan Bose, founded the Indian Association in 1876 in Calcutta. This is correctly matched.
These associations were important early political organizations that played a role in articulating Indian grievances and demands against British rule.
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