All Exams  >   UPSC  >   Lucent for GK  >   All Questions

All questions of Expansion & Consolidation of British Power in India for UPSC CSE Exam

In the 1770s, the British embarked on a brutal policy of extermination, hunting the Paharis down and killing them. Regarding these Paharis, which of the following statements is correct?
  • a)
    They were hill folks who lived around the Rajmahal hills.
  • b)
    They raided the plains where settlers lived during the years of scarcity.
  • c)
    Only option (a) is correct.
  • d)
    Both (a) and (b) are correct.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Amit Kumar answered
  • Paharis lived around the Rajmahal hills, subsisting on forest produce and practising shifting cultivation.
  • With their base in the hills, the Paharis regularly raided the plains where settled agriculturalists lived. These raids were necessary for survival, particularly in years of scarcity.
  • They were a way of asserting power over settled communities and means of negotiating political relations with outsiders. The zamindars on the plains had to often purchase peace by paying a regular tribute to the hill chiefs.
  • Traders similarly gave a small amount to the hill folk to use the passes controlled by them.

Consider the following statements.
Younghusband's Mission to Tibet (1904)
1. Led to a temporary invasion by British Indian forces under the auspices of the Tibet Frontier Commission
2. Intended to establish diplomatic relations and resolve the dispute over the border between Tibet and Bhutan
Q. Which of the above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    None
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Younghusband's Mission to Tibet (1904)
The mission led by Francis Younghusband to Tibet in 1904 was a significant event in the history of British-Indian relations with Tibet. It aimed to establish diplomatic relations and resolve the border dispute between Tibet and Bhutan. Let us examine the two statements given in the question:

1. Led to a temporary invasion by British Indian forces under the auspices of the Tibet Frontier Commission
The first statement is correct. Younghusband's mission to Tibet did result in a temporary invasion by British Indian forces. The mission was sent to negotiate with the Tibetan government and establish British influence in the region. However, when negotiations failed, the British Indian forces resorted to military action. They advanced into Tibet and captured the capital city of Lhasa, effectively bringing Tibet under British control.

This invasion was seen as a violation of Tibetan sovereignty and led to a significant backlash from the Tibetan government and people. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of Tibet, was forced to flee to Mongolia, and Tibet was placed under a British military administration.

2. Intended to establish diplomatic relations and resolve the dispute over the border between Tibet and Bhutan
The second statement is incorrect. While the mission aimed to establish diplomatic relations, it did not specifically focus on resolving the border dispute between Tibet and Bhutan. The main objective of the mission was to secure British influence in Tibet and establish a buffer zone between British India and Russian territories in Central Asia.

The British were concerned about Russian expansion in the region and wanted to ensure that Tibet remained under their influence. The border dispute between Tibet and Bhutan was a separate issue that was not the primary focus of Younghusband's mission.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A,' which states that only the first statement is correct. The mission led to a temporary invasion by British Indian forces, but it did not specifically aim to resolve the border dispute between Tibet and Bhutan.

Consider the following statements:
1. In the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, the British East India Company's combined forces and the Nizam of Hyderabad defeated Tipu.
2. After Tipu Sultan was killed in the Battle of Seringapatam, Mysore was placed under Wodeyars, the former ruling dynasty.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Debanshi Gupta answered
Explanation:

The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War was fought between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore under Tipu Sultan's leadership. The war lasted from 1798 to 1799.

1. British and Nizam's victory over Tipu:
- The British East India Company's combined forces and the Nizam of Hyderabad defeated Tipu Sultan's forces in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
- The decisive battle took place at Seringapatam (present-day Srirangapatna) in May 1799.
- Tipu Sultan was killed in this battle, and the British captured his capital and stronghold, Seringapatam.

2. Mysore placed under Wodeyars:
- After Tipu Sultan's death, the British restored the Wodeyar dynasty to the throne of Mysore.
- The Wodeyars were the former ruling dynasty of Mysore, and they had been deposed by Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan's father, in the mid-18th century.
- The Wodeyars were seen as more amenable to British interests than Tipu Sultan, who was known for his anti-British stance and had allied with the French.

Therefore, both statements are correct. The British and Nizam's forces defeated Tipu Sultan in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, and after his death, Mysore was placed under the Wodeyar dynasty's rule.

Consider the following statements. The Treaty of Srirangapatnam
1. Abolished the princely status of the state of Mysore.
2. Made Tipu Sultan pay war indemnity to the British.
3. Resulted in British ceding the territory of the Malabar Coast.
Select the correct answer using the codes below,
  • a)
    2 and 3 only
  • b)
    1 and 3 only
  • c)
    3 only
  • d)
    1 only
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Aarya Pillai answered
The correct answer is option A, which means that statements 2 and 3 are true.

Explanation:

1. Abolished the princely status of the state of Mysore:
The Treaty of Srirangapatnam, signed in 1792, did not abolish the princely status of the state of Mysore. In fact, the treaty recognized the princely status of Mysore and allowed Tipu Sultan to continue as the ruler of the state. The treaty was signed between Tipu Sultan and the British East India Company after the Third Anglo-Mysore War. It imposed certain conditions on Tipu Sultan, but it did not abolish the princely status of Mysore.

2. Made Tipu Sultan pay war indemnity to the British:
This statement is true. As a result of the Treaty of Srirangapatnam, Tipu Sultan had to pay a large war indemnity to the British. The exact amount of the indemnity was fixed at 33 million rupees, along with the surrender of two of his sons as hostages. This was a significant financial burden on Tipu Sultan and weakened his position.

3. Resulted in British ceding the territory of the Malabar Coast:
This statement is also true. The Treaty of Srirangapatnam resulted in the British ceding the territory of the Malabar Coast to Tipu Sultan. The Malabar Coast had been under British control during the war, but as a result of the treaty, it was returned to Tipu Sultan. This was a significant territorial gain for Tipu Sultan and a loss for the British.

In conclusion, the Treaty of Srirangapatnam made Tipu Sultan pay a war indemnity to the British and resulted in the British ceding the territory of the Malabar Coast. However, it did not abolish the princely status of the state of Mysore. Therefore, the correct answer is option A, which includes statements 2 and 3.

The British were furious against Tipu Sultan. Consider the following reasons:
1. He controlled trade at Malabar where the Company had stakes.
2. He stopped the export of precious items and disallowed local merchants from trading with the Company.
3. He established a close relationship with the French.
Which of the above-given reason(s) is/are incorrect?
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    2 and 3 only
  • c)
    2 only
  • d)
    None of the above
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Raghav Patel answered
Reasons for British Fury against Tipu Sultan

There were several reasons why the British were furious against Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in South India. These reasons are discussed below:

Control of Trade at Malabar: Tipu Sultan controlled trade at Malabar, which was an important trading center for the British East India Company. The Company had stakes in this trade and Tipu's control over it threatened their profits.

Stopping Export of Precious Items: Tipu Sultan also stopped the export of precious items like pepper, cardamom, and sandalwood, which were important commodities for the British. He also disallowed local merchants from trading with the Company, which further infuriated them.

Close Relationship with the French: Tipu Sultan established a close relationship with the French, who were the arch-rivals of the British in India. He sought their help in his fight against the British and even signed a treaty with them.

Incorrect Reason

None of the reasons given above is incorrect. All of them contributed to the British fury against Tipu Sultan. However, it is important to note that Tipu Sultan's actions were not unjustified. He was trying to protect the interests of his kingdom and his people from the exploitation of the British East India Company. His close relationship with the French was also a strategic move to counter the British dominance in India.

The Governor-General who followed a spirited 'Forward' policy towards Afghanistan was:
  • a)
    Minto
  • b)
    Dufferin
  • c)
    Elgin
  • d)
    Lytton
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Tanvi Basu answered
Governor-General Lytton's 'Forward' Policy towards Afghanistan

Background:

During the British rule in India, there was a constant threat to the British Empire from the Russian Empire. The British believed that the Russians were trying to expand their influence in Central Asia, which was regarded as a buffer zone between the two empires.

Governor-General Lytton's 'Forward' Policy:

Lord Lytton, who was the Governor-General of India from 1876 to 1880, believed that the British should pursue an aggressive policy towards Afghanistan in order to counter the perceived Russian threat.

The 'Forward' Policy of Lord Lytton was based on the following principles:

1. British expansionism: The policy aimed to expand the British Empire in Central Asia by establishing a friendly government in Afghanistan.

2. Military intervention: The British believed that they had to intervene militarily in Afghanistan in order to maintain their control over the region.

3. Diplomacy: The policy also involved diplomatic efforts to establish friendly relations with Afghanistan and to isolate Russia in Central Asia.

4. Puppet government: The British installed a puppet government in Afghanistan under the leadership of Shere Ali Khan, who was sympathetic to British interests.

5. Invasion of Afghanistan: In 1878, the British invaded Afghanistan with the aim of deposing Shere Ali Khan and installing a more pro-British government.

6. Second Anglo-Afghan War: The invasion led to the Second Anglo-Afghan War, which lasted from 1878 to 1880. The British were initially successful in their military campaign, but they faced strong resistance from the Afghan people and suffered heavy casualties.

Outcome:

The 'Forward' Policy of Lord Lytton was a failure. Although the British were able to install a more pro-British government in Afghanistan, they were not able to maintain their control over the region. The Afghan people resisted British rule, and the British were forced to withdraw from Afghanistan in 1881.

Conclusion:

The 'Forward' Policy of Lord Lytton towards Afghanistan was a misguided attempt to counter the perceived Russian threat in Central Asia. The policy was based on the outdated notion of British expansionism and failed to take into account the aspirations of the Afghan people for independence.

The reason(s) behind the Battle of Plassey between the Nawab of Bengal and the British was/were
1. That British denied stopping trade relations with India.
2. That the Bengal nawab did not accept 'subsidiary alliance' enforced by the British.
3. East India Company had started interfering in the political matters of Bengal.
4. The British did not pay appropriate revenue to the Bengal nawab.
5. East India Company did not stop fortification in Bengal even after the Farman of Bengal nawab.
Choose the correct answer using the codes below.
  • a)
    1, 2 and 3 only
  • b)
    4 and 5 only
  • c)
    3,4 and 5 only
  • d)
    All of the above
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Ojasvi Mehta answered
  • When Alivardi Khan died in 1756, Siraj udDaulah became the nawab of Bengal. The Company was worried about his power and keen on a puppet ruler who would willingly give trade concessions and other privileges.
  • So it tried, though without success, to help one of Siraj ud-Daulah's rivals become the nawab.
  • An infuriated Siraj ud-Daulah asked the Company to stop meddling in his dominion's political affairs, stop fortification, and pay the revenues.
  • After negotiations failed, the Nawab marched with 30,000 soldiers to the English factory at Kasimbazar, captured the Company officials, locked the warehouse, disarmed all Englishmen and blockaded English ships.
  • Then, he marched to Calcutta to establish control over the Company's fort there. On hearing the news of Calcutta's fall, Company officials in Madras sent forces under the command of Robert Clive, reinforced by naval fleets. Prolonged negotiations with the nawab followed. Finally, in 1757, Robert Clive led the Company's army against Siraj ud-Daulah at Plassey.

The Indus Navigation Treaty that was signed between the British and the ruler of Kashmir, Ranjit Singh, provided for
  • a)
    The opening of River Sutlej for navigation
  • b)
    The sharing of Indus waters with the northwestern provinces that were not under British control
  • c)
    Sole right of Kashmiris to store, cultivate and develop the Indus water
  • d)
    None of the above
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Kavita Mehta answered
  • Lord William Bentinck was the first governor-general to visualize a Russian threat to India.
  • Hence, he was eager to negotiate friendly relations with the ruler of Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and the Amirs of Sind.
  • His earnest desire was that Afghanistan should be made a buffer state between India and any possible invader. As an initial measure, an exchange of gifts took place between Lahore (capital of Punjab) and Calcutta (the governor's seat).
  • It was then followed by the meeting of Bentinck and Ranjit Singh in 1831 at Rupar on the River Sutlej banks.
  • The governor-general successfully won Ranjit Singh's friendship, and the Indus Navigation Treaty was concluded between them. This treaty opened up the Sutlej for navigation.
  • Also, a commercial treaty was negotiated with Ranjit Singh. A similar treaty was also concluded with the Amirs of Sind.

The Durand Commission (1893) was set up to
  • a)
    Recommend changes in the proposed Universities Act
  • b)
    Bring reforms in Police administration in India on the lines suggested by Lord Curzon
  • c)
    Define the Durand Line between India and Afghanistan (now between Pakistan and Afghanistan)
  • d)
    Increase the intake of the British army in India from contingents stationed abroad
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Amit Kumar answered
  • The Durand Line is the 2,430-kilometre international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It was established in 1896 between Sir Mortimer Durand, a British diplomat and civil servant of the British Raj, and Abdur Rahman Khan, the Afghan Amir, to fix the limit of their respective spheres of influence and improve diplomatic relations and trade.
  • Afghanistan was considered by the British as an independent state, although the British controlled its foreign affairs and diplomatic relations.
  • The Durand Line cuts through the Pashtun tribal areas and further south through the Balochistan region, politically dividing ethnic Pashtuns and the Baloch and other ethnic groups, who live on both sides of the border.
  • It demarcates Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan of northern and western Pakistan from Afghanistan's northeastern and southern provinces.
  • From a geopolitical and geostrategic perspective, it has been described as one of the world's most dangerous borders.

The Battle held at Plassey is often mentioned in India's colonial history. How did the place Plassey get its name from?
  • a)
    Palash tree that grows there.
  • b)
    The water structures that surrounded large forts.
  • c)
    Highly fertile soil found there.
  • d)
    Series of battles fought at it.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Ojasvi Mehta answered
  • Battle of Plassey was fought between the Company, and Siraj Ud Daulah asked the Company to stop meddling in his dominion's political affairs, stop fortification, and pay the revenues.
  • Plassey is an anglicised pronunciation of Palashi, and the place derived its name from the Palash tree known for its beautiful red flowers that yield gulal, the powder used in the festival of Holi.

The Northwest Frontier Province of British India was of great strategic importance to the British colonials because
1. It was the overland gateway to India through the Khyber Pass that could be accessed by the invaders.
2. The tribes of the North-West Frontier Province posed a danger to the British empire and needed to be tamed through the deployment of Khassadars.
Q. Which of the above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    None
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Varun Kapoor answered
No region of the British Empire afforded more grandeur, influence, power, status and prestige then India. The British prominence in India was unique and incomparable. For this very reason the security and safety of India became the prime objective of British Imperial foreign policy in India. India was the symbol of appealing, thriving, profitable and advantageous British Imperial greatness.
Closely interlinked with the question of the imperial defence of India was the tribal belt or tribal areas in the North-West Frontier region inhabitant by Pashtun ethnic groups. The area was defined topographically as a strategic zone of defence, which had substantial geo-political and geo-strategic significance for the British rule in India. 
For the British, France under Napoleon Bonaparte and later on the conquest of Russia in Central Asia was perceived as a serious threat to India. The British feared that Afghanistan might become a staging post for a Russian invasion of India. Afghanistan was therefore, created a buffer state and a barrier against British adversaries with regard to India's security. As a consequence, the western and North Western frontiers of India assumed importance for the British government in India and thus raised the strategic importance of India's North West Frontier.

Which of the following could be the possible implications of the Battle of Plassey?
1. It resulted in the victory of East India Company granting it greater powers to extract revenue and the consolidation of its presence in Bengal.
2. It resulted in the East India Company gaining greater military might which allowed them to push other European colonial powers away from Bengal.
Which of the above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    None of the above
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Ojasvi Mehta answered
  • The Battle of Plassey was essentially due to the Bengal Nawab and the East India Company's conflicts.
  • This is judged to be one of the pivotal battles for controlling the Indian subcontinent by colonial powers.
  • The British now wielded enormous influence over the Nawab and consequently acquired significant concessions for previous losses and trade revenue.
  • The British further used this revenue to increase their military might and push the other European colonial powers such as the Dutch and the French out of South Asia, thus expanding the British Empire.

The 1890 UK-China treaty deals with
  • a)
    Recognition of the frontier between Sikkim and Tibet
  • b)
    The accession of Shortughai as an industrial centre
  • c)
    The political status of Taiwan
  • d)
    The release of local colonies like Manchuria
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Amit Kumar answered
  • As per Article (1) of Convention of 1890, it was agreed that the boundary of Sikkim and Tibet should be the crest of the mountain range separating the waters flowing into the Sikkim Teesta, and its effluents from the waters flowing into the Tibetan Mochu and northwards into other rivers of Tibet.
  • The line commences at Mount Gipmochi on the Bhutan frontier and follows the parting of water to the point where it meets Nepal territory. However, Tibet refused to recognize the validity of the Convention of 1890 and further refused to affect the provisions of the said Convention.
  • In 1904, a treaty known as a Convention between Great Britain and Tibet was signed at Lhasa. In 1906, a treaty was signed between Great Britain and China at Peking, which confirmed 1904 between Great Britain and Tibet.

Chapter doubts & questions for Expansion & Consolidation of British Power in India - Lucent for GK 2025 is part of UPSC CSE exam preparation. The chapters have been prepared according to the UPSC CSE exam syllabus. The Chapter doubts & questions, notes, tests & MCQs are made for UPSC CSE 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, notes, meanings, examples, exercises, MCQs and online tests here.

Chapter doubts & questions of Expansion & Consolidation of British Power in India - Lucent for GK in English & Hindi are available as part of UPSC CSE exam. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC CSE Exam by signing up for free.

Lucent for GK

643 videos|791 docs|420 tests

Top Courses UPSC CSE

Related UPSC CSE Content

Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days!

Study with 1000+ FREE Docs, Videos & Tests
10M+ students study on EduRev