Exams › SSC CGL (Prelims) › General › Modern Indian History
51 questions with worked solutions.
Q1. What change did the Charter Act of 1813 bring to the East India Company?
Answer: Ended Company's trade monopoly
The Charter Act of 1813 ended the East India Company's monopoly over trade in India, except for trade in tea and trade with China. It did not abolish Company rule or introduce political reforms like universal suffrage.
Q2. Who inaugurated India's first metro rail service in Kolkata?
Answer: Indira Gandhi
India's first metro rail service in Kolkata was inaugurated by Indira Gandhi. This is a common static GK fact asked in competitive exams.
Q3. The Regulating Act of 1773 mainly aimed to:
Answer: Strengthen parliamentary control over the Company
The Regulating Act of 1773 was the first step by the British Parliament to control the East India Company’s administration in India. It did not end trade, introduce local self-government, or promote Indian industries. Its main purpose was to strengthen parliamentary oversight.
Q4. Under the Pitt’s India Act of 1784, the Board of Control supervised:
Answer: Civil and military government and revenues
The Pitt’s India Act of 1784 created the Board of Control to supervise the civil and military administration and revenues of British India. Commercial affairs remained with the Court of Directors.
Q5. Who was the Governor-General of India during the Revolt of 1857?
Answer: Lord Canning
Lord Canning was the Governor-General of India during the Revolt of 1857. After the revolt, he became the first Viceroy of India under the Government of India Act, 1858.
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru
Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, and Rani Lakshmibai are all strongly associated with the freedom struggle. Jawaharlal Nehru was also a freedom fighter, but he is primarily known as a political leader and the first Prime Minister of India, making him the odd one out in this set.
Q7. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
Answer: Wood’s Despatch — Promotion of English education system
Wood’s Despatch (1854) is famous for recommending the promotion of English education in India and the establishment of a proper education system. The other pairs are incorrect because they do not match the actual roles of those commissions.
Q8. The Subsidiary Alliance system of the British aimed primarily to:
Answer: Create buffer alliances under British control
The Subsidiary Alliance was a policy used by the British to bring Indian princely states under their control without direct annexation. It created dependent buffer states that served British strategic interests.
Answer: Dyarchy in provinces — Division of subjects into Reserved and Transferred lists
The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced dyarchy in the provinces, where subjects were divided into Reserved and Transferred categories. This was the central feature of the Act. The other options contain incorrect implications or features not associated with the Act.
Answer: Popular political mobilization within the states demanding democratic integration with India
Popular movements inside many princely states demanded responsible government and merger with India, making it difficult for rulers to sustain separate sovereignty. This internal pressure was a decisive factor alongside political and administrative negotiations.
Q11. The Civil Disobedience Movement was formally launched after the:
Answer: Dandi March
The Civil Disobedience Movement was formally launched with the Dandi March in 1930, led by Mahatma Gandhi. It marked the beginning of widespread non-violent resistance against British salt laws.
Q12. What was a key administrative outcome of the Regulating Act of 1773?
Answer: Creation of the office of Governor-General of Bengal
The Regulating Act of 1773 was the first step by the British Parliament to regulate the East India Company’s affairs in India. It created the office of Governor-General of Bengal, marking the beginning of centralized administration.
Q13. What was the major role of Batukeshwar Dutt in the Indian freedom movement?
Answer: He threw non-lethal bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly with Bhagat Singh
Batukeshwar Dutt was a revolutionary associated with Bhagat Singh. He is best known for throwing non-lethal bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly in 1929 as a protest against colonial rule.
Q14. Who led the Paika Rebellion of 1817 in Odisha?
Answer: Bakshi Jagabandhu
The Paika Rebellion of 1817 in Odisha was led by Bakshi Jagabandhu. It is considered one of the early armed uprisings against British rule in India.
Q15. Which Governor-General of India introduced the English Education Act of 1835?
Answer: Lord William Bentinck
The English Education Act of 1835 was introduced during the tenure of Lord William Bentinck. It is associated with Macaulay’s Minute and the promotion of English education in India.
Q16. Fill in the blank: The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was primarily intended to __________.
Answer: Restrict the freedom of non-English Indian newspapers
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was introduced by the British to curb nationalist sentiment expressed through Indian-language newspapers. It allowed the government to censor and penalize vernacular publications more easily than English ones.
Answer: 18 years old
Khudiram Bose was executed by the British in 1908 when he was 18 years old. He is remembered as one of the youngest martyrs of the Indian freedom struggle.
Answer: Midnapore (Tamluk)
Matangini Hazra was a prominent freedom fighter from Bengal who was shot dead while leading a procession during the Quit India Movement. The incident took place at Tamluk in Midnapore district.
Q19. Who presided over the Indian National Congress session held at Karachi in 1931?
Answer: Vallabhbhai Patel
The Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress in 1931 was presided over by Vallabhbhai Patel. This session is also remembered for the Karachi Resolution on fundamental rights and economic policy.
Q20. What is the primary focus of the book 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' by Dadabhai Naoroji?
Answer: The 'Drain of Wealth' from India to Britain
Dadabhai Naoroji's work focused on the economic exploitation of India under British rule. He is best known for the 'Drain of Wealth' theory, which argued that India's resources were being transferred to Britain.
Answer: Charter Act 1833
The Charter Act of 1833 added a fourth member, called the Law Member, to the Governor-General’s Executive Council. It also marked an important step toward centralization of legislative authority in British India.
Answer: Lala Lajpat Rai
Lala Lajpat Rai is associated with the foundation of Punjab National Bank in 1894. He supported indigenous economic institutions as part of the nationalist movement.
Answer: 1 - 2 - 3
Qutub Minar was completed in the early 13th century, the city of Agra was founded later in the early 16th century, and the Battle of Talikota took place in 1565. So the correct chronological order is 1 - 2 - 3.
Answer: Patna
Peer Ali Khan is associated with the Revolt of 1857 in Bihar, where he organized resistance against the British. His activities were centered in Patna, a major city and administrative center of the region.
Answer: A is true, but R is false.
The assertion is true because Gothic Revival architecture in colonial India did use pointed arches and ribbed vaults. The reason is false because these features were well known in traditional European cathedrals; in fact, they are characteristic of Gothic architecture.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Both the assertion and reason are true. Potti Sriramulu's fast led to the creation of Andhra State, and his death became a turning point that accelerated the linguistic reorganization of states in India.
Q27. Which education-related document, issued in 1854, laid the foundation for modern education in India?
Answer: Wood's Despatch
Wood's Despatch of 1854 is considered the foundation of modern education in India. It recommended a graded education system, teacher training, and the establishment of universities.
Q28. The Ilbert Bill controversy of 1883–84 was related to:
Answer: The issue of allowing Indian judges to try European offenders in criminal cases
The Ilbert Bill sought to allow Indian judges to try European offenders in criminal cases, which triggered strong opposition from Europeans in India. It became an important event highlighting racial discrimination under British rule.
Answer: Birsa Munda
Birsa Munda led the Ulgulan, a tribal uprising against British exploitation and the oppression of tribal communities in Jharkhand. He is one of the most important figures in tribal resistance history.
Q30. Pitt's India Act, 1784, created a six-member body called the ______ to supervise Company politics.
Answer: Board of Control
Pitt's India Act, 1784 established the Board of Control to supervise the political affairs of the East India Company. This created a system of dual control, with the Company handling commercial matters and the British government controlling political administration.
Answer: A is true, but R is false
Rani Gaidinliu did continue the Heraka movement after Jadonang's death, so the assertion is true. However, the reason is false because the movement was not aimed at mass literacy among Nagas; it was a socio-religious and anti-colonial movement.
Answer: Pune
The Chapekar Brothers assassinated British officer W.C. Rand in Pune in 1897, protesting the harsh measures taken during the plague epidemic. This incident is a well-known example of revolutionary resistance in the freedom struggle.
Answer: Bengal
Bagha Jatin, or Jatindranath Mukherjee, was a prominent revolutionary from Bengal. He inspired many revolutionaries in the Bengal revolutionary movement.
Q34. The Government of India Act, 1935 primarily aimed to:
Answer: Provide for a federal structure with provincial autonomy
The Government of India Act, 1935 was the most important constitutional reform before independence. It proposed a federal structure and granted provincial autonomy, though the federation never fully came into effect.
Q35. The Simon Commission, appointed in 1927, was boycotted by the Indian National Congress because:
Answer: It did not include any Indian members
The Simon Commission was boycotted because it had no Indian members, which was seen as an insult to Indian political aspirations. The Congress and other groups protested under the slogan 'Simon Go Back'.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Alluri Sitarama Raju indeed led the Rampa Rebellion against the British. The rebellion was strongly linked to opposition to forest laws that curtailed tribal access to forest produce and resources. Hence, both statements are true and the reason correctly explains the assertion.
Q37. After the death of Shivaji, which group came to hold effective political power in the Maratha state?
Answer: Chitpavan Brahmanas
After Shivaji's death, effective political power in the Maratha state gradually came into the hands of the Peshwas, who were Chitpavan Brahmanas. They became the real power behind the Maratha administration.
Q38. Which Act introduced the system of dyarchy (dual government) in the provinces of British India?
Answer: The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919
Dyarchy in the provinces was introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. It divided provincial subjects into transferred and reserved categories.
Q39. Which of the following describes the role of Aruna Asaf Ali in Indian history?
Answer: She hoisted the Indian flag during the Quit India Movement.
Aruna Asaf Ali is best known for hoisting the Indian National Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay during the Quit India Movement in 1942. This act made her a celebrated figure in India’s freedom struggle.
Answer: Create a class of loyal zamindars who would ensure regular land revenue collection
The Permanent Settlement aimed to create a loyal class of zamindars who would collect land revenue regularly for the British. It was not primarily meant for peasant welfare or abolition of zamindari.
Q41. Why did the British Parliament and Company authorities initially avoid abolishing Sati in India?
Answer: They feared religious backlash and wanted local judgment
The British initially hesitated to abolish Sati because they feared religious and social backlash. They preferred to avoid direct interference in what they considered a sensitive local custom until pressure for reform increased.
Q42. Why is Matangini Hazra remembered in Indian history?
Answer: For her bravery in the freedom struggle
Matangini Hazra is remembered for her courage and sacrifice in the Indian freedom struggle. She became a symbol of bravery, especially for her participation in the Quit India Movement.
Q43. The Subsidiary Alliance system had which of the following conditions for the allied Indian rulers?
Answer: They had to keep a British Resident in their court.
Under the Subsidiary Alliance, Indian rulers had to accept a British Resident in their court and could not maintain independent foreign relations. This was a major tool of British political control.
Answer: The reorganization of the police and the establishment of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Curzon’s police reorganization and the creation of the CID were aimed at strengthening administrative control and internal security under British rule. The other options relate more to reform, education, agriculture, or heritage preservation.
Q45. 'Jinnah: His Successes, Failures and Role in History' was authored by?
Answer: Ishtiaq Ahmed
'Jinnah: His Successes, Failures and Role in History' was written by Ishtiaq Ahmed. The other options are associated with law, freedom struggle writings, or different historical works.
Answer: Manipur (Naga Hills)
Rani Gaidinliu led a resistance movement among the Nagas in the Naga Hills region, which is associated with present-day Manipur in many exam questions. She is remembered as both a spiritual and political leader against British rule.
Q47. The Battle of Wandiwash (1760) was fought between:
Answer: British and French
The Battle of Wandiwash in 1760 was fought between the British and the French during the Carnatic Wars. The British victory weakened French influence in India significantly. Hence, the correct answer is British and French.
Q48. Who was the first Viceroy of India?
Answer: Lord Canning
Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India after the transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown in 1858. He was also the last Governor-General of India.
Q49. The Pitt’s India Act of 1784 was significant because it:
Answer: Distinguished between the commercial and political functions of the Company.
The Pitt’s India Act of 1784 was important because it brought the East India Company under greater British government control and clearly separated its commercial and political functions. It did not establish the Supreme Court or introduce the portfolio system.
Q50. Who is the author of the famous book Hind Swaraj?
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi
Hind Swaraj was written by Mahatma Gandhi. The book presents Gandhi’s views on self-rule, modern civilization, and non-violence.