Test: Sources of Modern Indian History - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1 is correct. The archives of the Bengal Presidency after the British victory at Plassey are indeed partly available in the National Archives of India and partly in the State Archives of West Bengal. This indicates that the archival records were preserved and distributed between these two key repositories.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The Dutch records of Chinsura are not housed in the Madras Record Office; instead, they are in the state archives of West Bengal. This detail is crucial as it distinguishes the location of these specific Dutch records from those of Cochin and Malabar, which are in the Madras Records Office.

- Statement 3 is correct. The French archives of Chandernagore and Pondicherry were taken to Paris by the French authorities before they relinquished these settlements. This move was part of the process of the French authorities withdrawing from their Indian territories.

Thus, the correct answer, based on the accurate interpretation of the statements, is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Maurya Empire in ancient India. He established the empire in 322 BCE after overthrowing the Nanda dynasty.

Statement-I is correct because newspapers and journals from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are valuable sources for constructing the history of modern India. They provide insights into the social, political, and cultural developments during the colonial and post-colonial periods.
Statement-II is also correct because oral history refers to the construction of history using non-written sources such as personal recollections, interviews, and testimonies.

However, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I because the two statements are about different types of historical sources—one about written sources (newspapers/journals) and the other about oral sources. Therefore, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

1. National Archives of India - Located in Mumbai: Incorrect. The National Archives of India is located in New Delhi, not Mumbai. This archive holds a vast collection of government documents and is an essential resource for modern Indian history.

2. James Rennell - First Surveyor-General of Bengal: Correct. James Rennell was indeed appointed as the first Surveyor-General of Bengal in 1767. He played a crucial role in mapping the regions of India during the British period.

3. Records of former princely states - Maintained by the National Archives of India: Incorrect. The records of former princely states are maintained by the state archives, not the National Archives of India. After the integration into the Indian Union post-1947, these records became part of state archives.

4. Archives of foreign administrations in India - Part of the state archives: Correct. The state archives include records from the foreign administrations that were present in India, other than the British, such as those from Portuguese, Dutch, and French territories.

Thus, pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched.

1. Portuguese archives - Goa: This pair is correctly matched. The Portuguese archives, mainly from the period 1700 to 1900, are indeed preserved in Goa. These archives are valuable for understanding the history of Portuguese possessions in India.

2. Dutch records - Chinsura: This pair is correctly matched. The Dutch records related to Chinsura are kept in the state archives of West Bengal. Chinsura was a Dutch settlement, and its records are housed in these archives.

3. French archives - Pondicherry: This pair is correctly matched. The French archives related to Pondicherry were taken to Paris by the French authorities before they relinquished the territory. Pondicherry was a significant French settlement in India.

4. Danish records - Tranquebar: This pair is correctly matched. The Danish records, specifically relating to Tranquebar, are housed in the Madras Record Office. Tranquebar was an important Danish settlement.

1. Newspaper: The Bengal Gazette - First newspaper in India by James Augustus Hickey.
This is correctly matched. James Augustus Hickey published The Bengal Gazette, which was the first newspaper in India.

2. Journal: The Hindu - Edited by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
This is incorrectly matched. The Hindu was not edited by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. It was under the editorship of G. Subramaniya Iyer. Kesari and Mahratta were the journals edited by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

3. Novel: Anand Math - Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterji.
This is correctly matched. Anand Math is a novel written by Bankim Chandra Chatterji, known for its famous song "Vande Mataram."

4. Painting: In Memoriam - Depicts the revolt of 1857 by Joseph Noel Paton.
This is correctly matched. In Memoriam is indeed a painting by Joseph Noel Paton that captures the events and the atmosphere surrounding the revolt of 1857.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched: 1, 3, and 4.

The Battle of Plassey took place on June 23, 1757, and it resulted in the victory of the British East India Company over Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. This battle marked the beginning of British rule in India.

1. Statement 1: This statement is correct. The first newspaper published in India was indeed 'The Bengal Gazette', also known as 'Calcutta General Advertiser', by James Augustus Hickey in 1780. Hickey's publication marked the beginning of journalism in India, although it faced suppression due to its critical stance against the authorities.

2. Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. The 'Company Paintings', or 'Patna Kalam', were not focused on depicting political events but rather portrayed the socio-economic and cultural life during the colonial period. These paintings captured scenes of daily life, trades, festivals, and the attire of the people, providing a visual documentation of the time.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. Bankim Chandra Chatterji is renowned for his historical novels in the Bengali language, with 'Anand Math' being one of his most famous works. The novel is notable for featuring the hymn 'Vande Mataram', which later became a significant song in the Indian independence movement.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C: 1 and 3 Only the right choice.

Statement-I is accurate because the archives preserved in Goa related to the Portuguese are indeed valuable for understanding the history of Portuguese possessions in India. However, Statement-II is incorrect as the French archives of Chandernagore and Pondicherry were not taken to Paris by French authorities; the statement is inaccurate in this context.

- Statement 1 is correct. The National Archives of India, located in New Delhi, indeed contains the majority of the archives of the Government of India. These archives include records from various branches such as public, revenue, political, military, and more, reflecting the diverse functions and developments within the government.

- Statement 2 is correct. The state government archives comprise records from the former British Indian provinces as well as the princely states that were incorporated into the Indian Union after independence in 1947. This provides a comprehensive view of administrative changes over time.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. The Survey of India, initiated by James Rennell in 1767, aimed at mapping not only the British-controlled territories but also the unknown regions of the country and bordering lands. It was not limited exclusively to British territories, as the broader objective was scientific mapping of the Indian subcontinent.

Thus, only statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the right answer.