Question 1

Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
I. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East.
II. He desired his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both I and II — Raja Ram Mohan Roy combined deep respect for Eastern philosophy with a strong advocacy for reason, science, and social equality, making both statements correct.

Question 2

Who among the following was the founder of the 'Self-Respect Movement'?

Accepted Answer

'Periyar' E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker — The Self-Respect Movement was founded by Periyar E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker in 1925 in Tamil Nadu to fight caste discrimination and promote social equality.

Question 3

Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female Schools which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?

Accepted Answer

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar — Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar served as Secretary of the Hindu Female School (later Bethune Female School) and was a key advocate of women's education in Bengal.

Question 4

In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around:
1. Women's right to gain education
2. Age of consent
3. Restitution of conjugal rights
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only — The Rakhmabai case centred on age of consent and restitution of conjugal rights, Rakhmabai refused to join her husband and the court controversy sparked debate on both issues, not women's right to education.

Question 5

The Vital-Vidhwansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by:

Accepted Answer

Gopal Baba Walangkar — Gopal Baba Walangkar, a pioneer of the Dalit movement, published Vital-Vidhwansak in the late 19th century, making it the first journal specifically targeting the untouchable community.

Question 6

Consider the following pairs:
Movement/Organization — Leader
1. All India Anti-Untouchability League — Mahatma Gandhi
2. All India Kisan Sabha — Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
3. Self-Respect Movement — Naicker E.V. Ramaswami
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 — All three pairs are correctly matched: Gandhi founded the Anti-Untouchability League (Harijan Sevak Sangh), Swami Sahajanand Saraswati led the All India Kisan Sabha, and Periyar E.V. Ramaswami founded the Self-Respect Movement.

Question 7

Regarding Wood's Dispatch, 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:

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only — Wood's Dispatch (1854) introduced the Grants-in-Aid system and recommended establishing universities, but it did not mandate English as the sole medium at all levels, vernacular education was also encouraged.

Question 8

Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India?
1. Charter Act of 1813
2. General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823
3. Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 — All three factors, the Charter Act of 1813 (which earmarked funds for education), the General Committee of Public Instruction (1823), and the Orientalist-Anglicist controversy, collectively contributed to the introduction of English education in India.

Question 9

Consider the following:
1. Calcutta Unitarian Committee
2. Tabernacle of New Dispensation
3. Indian Reform Association
Keshab Chandra Sen is associated with the establishment of which of the above?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only — Keshab Chandra Sen founded the Tabernacle of New Dispensation (Church of the New Dispensation) and the Indian Reform Association; the Calcutta Unitarian Committee was established earlier by others including Rammohun Roy.

Question 10

Satya Shodhak Samaj organised:

Accepted Answer

An anti-caste movement in Maharashtra — Satya Shodhak Samaj was founded by Jyotiba Phule in 1873 in Maharashtra to oppose Brahminical dominance and fight caste oppression.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj?
1. It opposed idolatry.
2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting the religious texts.
3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible.
Select the correct answer:

Accepted Answer

1 & 2 Only — Brahmo Samaj opposed idol worship and the exclusive priestly authority over scriptures, but it rejected the infallibility of the Vedas, relying instead on reason and conscience.

Question 12

Which of the following parties were established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar?
1. The Peasants and Workers Party of India
2. All India Scheduled Castes Federation
3. The Independent Labour Party
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Accepted Answer

2 & 3 Only — Ambedkar founded the All India Scheduled Castes Federation (1942) and the Independent Labour Party (1936); the Peasants and Workers Party of India was not established by him.

Question 13

In collaboration with David Hare and Alexander Duff, who of the following established Hindu College at Calcutta?

Accepted Answer

Raja Rammohan Roy — Raja Rammohan Roy, together with David Hare and Alexander Duff, founded Hindu College (now Presidency University) in Calcutta in 1817 to promote Western education.

Question 14

Consider the following subjects with regard to Non-Cooperation Programme:
I. Boycott of law-courts and foreign cloth
II. Observance of strict non-violence
III. Retention of titles and honours without using them in public
IV. Establishment of Panchayats for settling disputes
How many of the above were parts of Non-Cooperation Programme?

Accepted Answer

Only three — Retention of titles and honours was to be surrendered (not retained), so statements I, II, and IV were part of the Non-Cooperation Programme, making three correct.

Question 15

Who provided legal defence to the people arrested in the aftermath of Chauri Chaura incident?

Accepted Answer

Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant — Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant Malaviya defended the 172 accused in the Chauri Chaura trial, securing acquittals for many.

Question 16

Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement:
I. The Congress declared the attainment of 'Swaraj' by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective.
II. It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if 'Swaraj' did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression.
How many of the above were parts of Non-Cooperation Programme?

Accepted Answer

Both I and II — Both statements accurately describe the Non-Cooperation Movement's objectives and phased approach as adopted at the Nagpur Congress session of 1920.

Question 17

Subsequent to which one of the following events, Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability and appealed for its eradication from all spheres, decided to include the upliftment of 'Harijans' in his political and social programme?

Accepted Answer

The Poona Pact — After the Poona Pact (1932), Gandhi launched the Harijan campaign, making the upliftment of depressed classes a central part of his constructive programme.

Question 18

'Sedition has become my religion' was the famous statement given by Gandhiji at the time of:

Accepted Answer

publicly violating Salt Law at Dandi — Gandhi made this famous declaration during his trial in 1922, but the UPSC answer associates it with the Salt Satyagraha at Dandi when he defiantly broke the law in 1930.

Question 19

With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements:
1. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of 'indentured labour'
2. In Lord Chelmsford's 'War Conference', Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.
3. Consequent upon the breaking of Salt Law by Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only — Gandhi campaigned successfully against indentured labour (abolished 1917) and the INC was declared illegal after the Salt Satyagraha, but Gandhi did support recruitment at Chelmsford's War Conference, making statement 2 false.

Question 20

The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for:

Accepted Answer

A system of tribunals and a ban on strikes — The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 established a system of conciliation and tribunals for industrial disputes and imposed a ban on strikes in public utilities.

Question 21

Who of the following organized a march on the Tanjore coast to break the Salt Law in April 1930?

Accepted Answer

C. Rajagopalachari — C. Rajagopalachari led a famous Salt March from Trichy to Vedaranyam on the Tanjore coast in April 1930 to protest the Salt Law.

Question 22

The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the:

Accepted Answer

Attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress — At the Lahore Session of 1929, the INC under Jawaharlal Nehru adopted the Poorna Swaraj (Complete Independence) resolution and declared 26 January as Independence Day.

Question 23

The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because:
1. The Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence
2. The rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session
3. A resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that Session
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 Only — Only the resolution demanding complete independence (Poorna Swaraj) was passed at the Lahore Session of 1929; statements 2 and 3 do not accurately describe what happened at that session.

Question 24

One of the following began with the Dandi March?

Accepted Answer

Civil Disobedience Movement — The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched in 1930 with Gandhi's famous Dandi March, during which he broke the Salt Law by making salt from seawater.

Question 25

Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal?

Accepted Answer

Krishnadevaraya — Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara empire granted the Portuguese permission to build a fort at Bhatkal to strengthen trade ties.

Question 26

Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?

Accepted Answer

Bahadur Shah — Bahadur Shah of Gujarat was compelled to cede Diu to the Portuguese in 1535 while seeking their help against the Mughal threat.

Question 27

With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
1. The Dutch established their factories/ warehouses on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.
2. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.
3. The English East India Company established a factory at Madras on a plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only — Albuquerque did capture Goa from Bijapur in 1510, and the English did lease land from a Vijayanagara representative at Madras, but the Dutch east-coast factories were not granted by Gajapati rulers.

Question 28

Consider the following statements:
1) Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order
2) Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there
3) The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only — Francis Xavier was a co-founder of the Jesuits and his feast is celebrated annually in Goa, but he died on Shangchuan Island near China, not in Goa.

Question 29

In the first quarter of seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located?
1) Broach
2) Chicacole
3) Trichinopoly
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

1 only — Broach (Bharuch) on the Gujarat coast was among the earliest EIC factory locations in the first quarter of the 17th century; Chicacole and Trichinopoly came later.

Question 30

With reference to the Pondicherry (now Puducherry), consider the following statements:
1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese.
2. The second European power to occupy Pondicherry were the French.
3. The English never occupied Pondicherry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 only — The Portuguese were indeed the first Europeans to occupy Pondicherry; the Dutch came second (not the French), and the English did occupy it temporarily, making only statement 1 correct.

Question 31

With whose permission did the English set up their first factory in Surat?

Accepted Answer

Jahangir — The English established their first factory at Surat in 1613 after Captain Thomas Best's naval victory earned Jahangir's farman granting them trading rights.

Question 32

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:
1. It provided for the establishment of an All-India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 only — The Government of India Act 1935 did provide for an All-India Federation, but Defence and Foreign Affairs were reserved for the Governor-General, not the federal legislature.

Question 33

Consider the following statements:
1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age of 21.
2. The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only — The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms did not grant universal women's suffrage; the GOI Act 1935 gave women reserved seats in the legislature, making only statement 2 correct.

Question 34

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

Accepted Answer

Governor General — Under the Government of India Act 1935, residuary powers were vested in the Governor-General, reflecting continued British control over undefined subjects.

Question 35

The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the:

Accepted Answer

Government of India Act, 1935 — The three-list scheme, Union, State, and Concurrent Lists, in the Indian Constitution is directly drawn from the Government of India Act, 1935.

Question 36

Who was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha — Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha served as the provisional president of the Constituent Assembly when it first met in December 1946, before Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent president.

Question 37

With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs:
Person — Position held
1. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru — All India Liberal Federation
2. K.C. Neogy — Member, The Constituent Assembly
3. P.C. Joshi — General Secretary, Communist Party of India
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 — All three pairs are correctly matched: Tej Bahadur Sapru led the Liberal Federation, K.C. Neogy was a Constituent Assembly member, and P.C. Joshi served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of India.

Question 38

With reference to cabinet mission, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It recommended a federal government
2. It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts
3. It provided for more Indians in the ICS
Select the correct answer using the code given below

Accepted Answer

1 only — The Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 recommended a three-tier federal structure for India but did not address enlarging court powers or ICS composition.

Question 39

With reference to Indian history, the members of the constituent assembly from the provinces were?

Accepted Answer

Elected by the provincial legislative assemblies — Members of the Constituent Assembly from the provinces were elected indirectly by the members of the provincial legislative assemblies, not by direct popular vote.

Question 40

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day.
Statement-II: It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same day.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I — National Handloom Day is indeed observed on 7th August, commemorating the launch of the Swadeshi Movement on that date in 1905 in protest against the Partition of Bengal, so Statement-II correctly explains Statement-I.

Question 41

With reference to Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements:
1. It contributed to the revival of the indigenous artisan crafts and industries.
2. The National Council of Education was established as a part of Swadeshi Movement.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 2 — The Swadeshi Movement revived indigenous crafts through the boycott of British goods, and the National Council of Education was founded in 1906 as part of the movement to promote national education.

Question 42

The 'Swadeshi' and 'Boycott' were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the:

Accepted Answer

Agitation against the Partition of Bengal — Swadeshi and Boycott were first used as organised political weapons during the anti-Partition agitation of 1905–08 in Bengal.

Question 43

What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907?

Accepted Answer

Extremists' lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government — The Surat Split occurred because the Extremists under Tilak had lost confidence in the Moderates' petitionary approach and demanded more aggressive methods, leading to an irreparable division.

Question 44

Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the Indian National Congress resulting in emergence of 'moderates' and 'extremists'?

Accepted Answer

Swadeshi Movement — The Swadeshi Movement (1905–08) sharpened ideological differences within Congress, ultimately leading to the Moderate–Extremist split at the Surat session in 1907.

Question 45

The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until:

Accepted Answer

King George V abrogated Curzon's Act as the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911 — The Partition of Bengal was annulled by King George V at the Delhi Durbar in 1911, reuniting Bengal after six years of intense nationalist agitation.

Question 46

What was the immediate cause for the launch of the Swadeshi Movement?

Accepted Answer

The partition of Bengal done by Lord Curzon. — The Swadeshi Movement was directly triggered by the announcement of the Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon in 1905, which nationalists viewed as a deliberate attempt to divide the Bengali people.

Question 47

Four resolutions were passed at the famous Calcutta session of Indian National Congress in 1906. The question of either retention OR of rejection of these four resolutions became the cause of a split in Congress at the next Congress session held in Surat in 1907. Which one of the following was NOT one of those resolutions?

Accepted Answer

Annulment of partition of Bengal — The four Calcutta 1906 resolutions were Swaraj, Swadeshi, Boycott, and National Education; the annulment of the Partition of Bengal was not one of the four formal resolutions.

Question 48

In the context of the Indian freedom struggle, 16th October 1905 is well known for which one of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

The partition of Bengal took effect — 16 October 1905 was the date on which the Partition of Bengal formally came into effect, marking a day of mourning and protest across Bengal.

Question 49

By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?
(a) The Regulating Act
(b) The Pitt's India Act
(c) The Charter Act of 1793
(d) The Charter Act of 1833

Accepted Answer

The Charter Act of 1833 — The Charter Act of 1833 redesignated the Governor General of Bengal as the Governor General of India, centralising all civil, military and revenue authority.

Question 50

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

Accepted Answer

Commercialization of Indian agriculture — British rule forced farmers to grow cash crops for export, leading to commercialization of agriculture rather than growth in indigenous industry or urban migration on any significant scale.

UPSC Modern History — previous-year questions

Socio-Religious Reform Movements

Khilafat and the Non-Cooperation Movement

The Civil Disobedience Movement

Advent of the Europeans in India

The Government of India Act, 1935

The Cabinet Mission and the Interim Government

The Extremists, Swadeshi and the Surat Split

Ruling the Countryside

The Quit India Movement (1942)

Constitutional Development under British Rule

Revolutionary Nationalism: The First Phase (1907-1917)

From Trade to Territory

Subhas Chandra Bose and the INA

Civil Services under the British

Colonialism and the Countryside

Gandhi's Early Satyagrahas (1917-1918)

The First World War and the Home Rule Movement

Independence with Partition

The Rise of Indian Nationalism

The Simon Commission and the Nehru Report

The Indian National Congress and the Moderates

The Congress Ministries (1937-39)

The Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

The Round Table Conferences and the Poona Pact