Modern History- Solved Questions (1995-2007) | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions PDF Download

Question 1:
The ruler of which one of the following States was removed from power by the British on the pretext of misgovernance?   [2007]
(a) Awadh 
(b) Jhansi                        
(c) Nagpur 
(d) Satara 

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The other three states were annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse by Lord Dalhousie. But the doctrine of Lapse was not applicable on Awadh as Nawab Wazid Ali Shah had many children. Therefore, Dalhousie annexed Awadh on the pretext of misgovernance in 1856. Jhansi (1853), Nagpur (1854) and Satara (1848)

Question 2:
Who among the following started the newspaper, Shome Prakash? [2007] 
(a) Dayanand Saraswati 
(b) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar 
(c) Raja Rammohan Roy 
(d) Surendranath Banerjee

Correct Answer is Option (b)
It was started by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

Question 3:
Who was the Governor-General of India during the Sepoy Mutiny? [2006] 
(a) Lord Canning 
(b) Lord Dalhousie 
(c) Lord Hardings 
(d) Lord Lytton

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Revolt of 1857 is referred to as Sepoy Mutiny by many historians. After the mutiny, Lord Canning was made the Viceroy, and power was transferred from the East India Company to the British crown by Act of 1858.

Question 4:
With reference to the ‘revolt of the year ’ who of the following was betrayed by a ‘friend’ captured and put to death by the British? [2006] 
(a) Nana Sahib 
(b) Kunwar Singh 
(c) Khan Bahadur Khan 
(d)Tatya Tope

Correct Answer is Option (d)
The British forces had failed to subdue him for over a year. He was however betrayed into the hands of the British by his trusted friend, Man Singh, while asleep in his camp in the Paron forest. He was captured on 7 April 1859 by a detachment of native infantry from British General Richard John Meade's troops led to him by Singh and escorted to Shivpuri where he was tried by a military court.

Question 5:
Which one of the following revolts was made famous by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his novel ‘Anand Math?   [2006]
(a) Bhil uprising  
(b) Rangpur and Dinapur uprising 
(c) Bishnupur and Birbhum rebellion 
(d) Sanyasi rebellion

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Anand Math is a Bengali novel, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and published in 1882. Set in the background of the Sanyasi Rebellion in the late 18th century.

Question 6:
Consider the following statements: 
1. The Charter Act, 1853 abolished the East India Company's monopoly of Indian trade. 
2. Under the Government of India Act, 1858 the British Parliament abolished the rule of East India Company and undertook the responsibility of ruling India directly.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? [2006]
(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) Both 1 and 2 
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer is Option (b)
The Charter Act, 1813 (not 1853) abolished the East India Company's monopoly of Indian trade.

Question 7:
Who among the following was a proponent of Fabianism as a movement? [2005] 
(a) Annie Besant 
(b) A.O. Hume 
(c) Michael Madhusudan Dutt 
(d) R. Palme Dutt

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The Fabian Society is a British socialist intellectual movement best known for its initial ground-breaking work beginning in the late 19th century and then up to World War I. Fabianism focused on the advancement of socialist ideas through gradual influence and patiently insinuating socialist ideology into intellectual circles and groups with power.

Question 8:
Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the battles fought in India in the 18th Century? [2005]
(a) Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Buxar-Battle of Ambur-Battle of Plassey
(b) Battle of Ambur-Battle of Plassey-Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Buxar
(c) Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Plassey-Battle of Ambur-Battle of Buxar
(d) Battle of Ambur-Battle of Buxar-Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Plassey

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Battle of Ambur-1749, Battle of Plassey-1757, Battle of Wandiwash-1760,  Battle of Buxar-1764.

Question 9:
Consider the following statements:   [2005]
1. Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General who established a regular police force in India on the British pattern. 
2. A Supreme Court was established at Calcutta by the Regulating Act, 1773. 
3. The Indian Penal Code came into effect in the year 1860. 
Which of the statements given above are correct?  
(a) 1 and 2 
(b) 2 and 3 
(c) 1 and 3 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Statement 1 is incorrect as Lord Curzon was the first Governor-General who established a regular police force in India on the British pattern. A Supreme Court was established at Fort Williams by the Regulating Act, 1773 with jurisdiction over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

Question 10:
Which one of the following is the correct statement? [2005] 
(a) The modern Kochi was a Dutch colony till India's independence. 
(b) The Dutch defeated the Portuguese and built Fort Williams in the modern Kochi. 
(c) The modern Kochi was first a Dutch colony before the Portuguese took over. 
(d) The modern Kochi never became a part of a British colony.

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Modern Kochi became a part of the British colony after being a Dutch colony. Kochi was first a Portuguese colony. Fort Williams was built in Kochi by the Dutch.

Question 11:
Who among the following repealed the Vernacular Press Act?  [2005] 
(a) Lord Dufferin 
(b) Lord Ripon 
(c) Lord Curzon 
(d) Lord Hardinge

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Lord Lytton brought Vernacular Press Act came into force in 1878. It was repealed by Lord Ripon in 1882.

Question 12:
Consider the following statements:
1. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar founded the Bethune School at Calcutta with the main aim of encouraging education for women.
2. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was the first graduate of Calcutta University. 3. Keshav Chandra Sen's campaign against Sati led to the enactment of a law to ban Sati by the Governor-General.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [2005]
(a) 1 only    
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3    
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Statement 3 is incorrect as Raja Ram Mohan Roy's campaign against Sati led to the enactment of the Bengal Regulation Act of 1829 to ban Sati by Governor-General William Bentick. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Gattunath Bose were the first graduates of Calcutta University on Jan 30, 1858. JED Bethune founded the Bethune School in Calcutta in 1849. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was also associated with this. That's why the best possible answer here is option (b).

Question 13:
Which one of the following territories was not affected by the Revolt of 1857? [2005] 
(a) Jhansi 
(b) Chittor 
(c) Jagdishpur 
(d) Lucknow

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Leader: Jhansi - Rani Laxmibai; Lucknow - Begum Hazrat Mehal; Jagdishpur (Bihar)- Kunwar Singh.

Question 14:
Which one of the following places did Kunwar Singh, a prominent leader of the Revolt of 1857 belong to?  [2005] 
(a) Bihar 
(b) Madhya Pradesh 
(c) Rajasthan 
(d) Uttar Pradesh

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Kunwar Singh belonged to a royal Ujjaini house of Jagdispur, currently a part of Bhojpur district, Bihar state.

Question 15:
Consider the following statements: 
1. In the Third Battle of Panipat, Ahmed Shah Abdali defeated Ibrahim Lodi. 
2. Tipu Sultan was killed in the Third Anglo-Mysore War. 
3. Mir Jafar entered into a conspiracy with the English for the defeat of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey. 
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  [2004] 
(a) 1, 2 and 3 
(b) 3 only 
(c) 2 and 3 
(d) None

Correct Answer is Option (b)
In the first Battle of Panipat (1526), Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur. In the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), Ahmed Shah Abdali defeated Marathas. Tipu Sultan was killed in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799).

Question 16:
Consider the following Princely States of the British rule in India: [2004] 
1. Jhansi 
2. Sambalpur 
3. Satara 
The correct chronological order in which they were annexed by the British is: 
(a) 1, 2, 3 
(b) 1, 3, 2 
(c) 3, 2, 1 
(d) 3, 1, 2

Correct Answer is Option (c)
These princely states were annexed by Lord Dalhousie under the Doctrine of Lapse. Jhansi - 1854, Sambalpur- 1849 and Satara - 1848.

Question 17:
Consider the following Viceroys of India during the British rule: 
1. Lord Curzon 
2. Lord Chelmsford 
3. Lord Hardinge 
4. Lord Irwin, 
Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of their tenure? [2004] 
(a) 1, 3, 2, 4 
(b) 2, 4, 1, 3 
(c) 1, 4, 2, 3 
(d) 2, 3, 1, 4

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Lord Curzon (1899-1905); Lord Chelmsford (1916-1921); Lord Hardinge (1910-1916); Lord Irwin (19261931)

Question 18:
Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [2004]
(a) Pitt's India Act: Warren Hastings
(b) Doctrine of Lapse: Dalhousie
(c) Vernacular Press Act: Curzon
(d) Ilbert Bill: Ripon

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Vernacular Press Act was passed by Lord Lytton in 1878 and it was repealed by Ripon in 1882.

Question 19:
Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

Select the correct answer using the codes given below: [2004]
(a) 2 and 4 
(b) 3 and 4 
(c) 1 and 2 
(d) 2 and 3

Correct Answer is Option (d)
First Anglo-Maratha War - 1775-1782; First Anglo -Sikh War - 1845-1846; Second Anglo - Sikh War - 1848-1849;

Question 20:
In India, the first bank of limited liability managed by Indians and founded in 1881 was: [2003] 
(a) Hindustan Commercial Bank 
(b) Oudh Commercial Bank 
(c) Punjab National Bank 
(d) Punjab and Sind Bank

Correct Answer is Option (b)
The first entirely Indian joint stock bank was the Oudh Commercial Bank, established in 1881 in Faizabad. It collapsed in 1958. The next was the Punjab National Bank was established in Lahore in 1895, which has survived to the present and is now one of the largest banks in India.

Question 21:
With reference to colonial rule in India, what was sought by the Ilbert Bill in 1883? [2003]
(a) To bring Indians and Europeans at par as far as the criminal jurisdiction of courts was concerned.
(b) To impose severe restrictions on the freedom of the native press as it was perceived to be hostile to colonial rulers. 
(c) To encourage the native Indians to appear for civil service examinations by conducting them in India. 
(d) To allow native Indians to possess arms by amending the Arms Act.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Ilbert Bill was introduced during the viceroyalty of Lord Rippon.

Question 22:
Which one of the following provisions was not made in the Charter Act of 1833? [2003] 
(a) The trading activities of the East India Company were to be abolished. 
(b) The designation of the supreme authority was to be changed as the Governor-General of India in Council. 
(c) All law-making powers to be conferred on GovernorGeneral in Council. 
(d) An Indian was to be appointed as a Law Member in the Governor-General's Council.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Charter Act of 1833 provides for the appointment of a law member but not necessarily an Indian.

Question 23:
Which one of the following statements is not correct? [2003] 
(a) Ali Mardan Khan introduced the system of revenue farming in Bengal. 
(b) Maharaja Ranjit Singh set up modern foundries to manufacture cannons at Lahore. 
(c) Sawai Jai Singh of Amber had Euclid's Elements of Geometry' translated into Sanskrit. 
(d) Sultan Tipu of Mysore gave money for the construction of the idol of Goddess Sharda in the Shringeri temple.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Farrukhsiyar introduced revenue farming in Bengal.

Question 24:
The aim of education as stated by Wood's Despatch of 1854 was: [2003] 
(a) the creation of employment opportunities for native Indians 
(b) the spread of western culture in India 
(c) the promotion of literacy among the people using English medium 
(d) the introduction of scientific research and rationalism in the traditional Indian education

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Wood's Despatch of 1854 is considered as the Magna Carta of English education in India. Statement (C) is incorrect as it recommended English as the medium of instruction for higher studies and vernaculars at the school level.

Question 25:
In India, among the following locations, the Dutch established their earliest factory at  [2003] 
(a) Surat    
(b) Pulicat 
(c) Cochin    
(d) Cassimbazar

Correct Answer is Option (b)
The Dutch East India Company in India, established the first factory in Masulipattanam in 1605, followed by Pulicat in 1610, Surat in 1616, Bimilipatam in 1641, and Chinsura in 1653.

Question 26:
With reference to the entry of European powers into India, which one of the following statements is not correct? [2003] 
(a) The Portuguese captured Goa in 1499. 
(b) The English opened their first factory in South India at Masulipatam. 
(c) In Eastern India, the English Company opened its first factory in Orissa in 1633. 
(d) Under the leadership of Dupleix, the French occupied Madras in 1746.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The Portuguese captured Goa from the rulers of Bijapur in 1510 and not in 1499.

Question 27:
During the colonial period in India, what was the purpose of the Whitley Commission? [2003] 
(a) To review the fitness of India for further political reforms. 
(b) To report on existing conditions of labor and to make recommendations. 
(c) To draw up a plan for financial reforms for India. 
(d) To develop a comprehensive scheme for Civil Services in India.

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Whitley chaired the Royal Commission on Labour in India, which was reported in 1931.

Question 28:
Which one of the following Acts of British India strengthened the Viceroy's authority over his Executive Council by substituting "Portfolio" or departmental system for corporate functioning? [2002] 
(a) Indian Council Act, 1861 
(b) Government of India Act, 1858 
(c) Indian Council Act, 1892 
(d) Indian Council Act, 1909

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The Indian Councils Act of 1861 transformed the viceroy's Executive Council into a miniature cabinet run on the portfolio system, and each of the five ordinary members was placed in charge of a distinct department of Calcutta's government.

Question 29:
Which one of the following mountain tribes did the British first come into contact with after the grant of Diwani in the year 1765? [2002] 
(a) Garos 
(b) Khasis 
(c) Kukis 
(d) Tipperahs

Correct Answer is Option (b)
After the grant of Diwani in the year 1765, the British first came in contact with a mountain tribe called Khasis.

Question 30:
Which one of the following submitted in 1875 a petition to the House of Commons demanding India's direct representation in the British parliament? [2002] 
(a) The Deccan Association 
(b) The Indian Association 
(c) The Madras Mahajan Sabha 
(d) The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was established in 1870 by M.G. Ranaday and Joshi. It submitted in 1875 a petition to the House of Commons demanding India's direct representation in the British Parliament.

Question 31:
Who amongst the following Englishmen, first translated Bhagavad-Gita into English? [2001] 
(a) William Jones 
(b) Charles Wilkins 
(c) Alexander Cunningham 
(d) John Marshall

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Charles Wilkins was a member of the Asiatic Society of Bengal founded by William Jones. He translated Bhagavad Gita into English in 1794.

Question 32:
Consider the following statements: [2001] 
1. Arya Samaj was founded in 1835. 
2. Lala Lajpat Rai opposed the appeal of Arya Samaj to the authority of Vedas in support of its social reform programme. 
3. Under Keshab Chandra Sen, the Brahmo Samaj campaigned for women's education. 
4. Vinoba Bhave founded the Sarvodya Samaj to work among refugees. 
Which of these statements are correct? 
(a) 1 and 2 
(b) 2 and 3 
(c) 2 and 4 
(d) 3 and 4

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Arya Samaj was founded in 1875 (not 1835) at Bombay by Dayananda Saraswati. Lala Lajpat Rai joined the Arya Samaj. His journal Arya Gazette concentrated mainly on subjects related to the Arya Samaj. He never opposed Arya Samaj.

Question 33:
Under the Permanent Settlement, 1793, the Zamindars are required to issue pattas to the farmers which were not issued by many of the Zamindars. The reason was: [2001] 
(a) the Zamindars were trusted by the farmers. 
(b) there were no officials check upon the Zamindars. 
(c) it was the responsibility of the British government. 
(d) the farmers were not interested in getting pattas.

Correct Answer is Option (b)
John Shore planned Permanent Settlement and it was introduced in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis. Zamindars were made the owners of the land and the British got a fixed share of 10/11th of the revenue collected by the zamindars.

Question 34:
Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [2001] 
(a) India's first technicolour film –Jhansi ki Rani 
(b) India's first 3-D film – My Dear Kuttichathan 
(c) India's first insured film –Taal 
(d) India's first actress to win the Bharat Ratna–Meena Kumari

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Meena Kumari is not the recipient of Bharat Ratna.

Question 35:
Who among the following Indian rulers established embassies in foreign countries on modern lines? [2001] 
(a) Haider Ali    
(b) Mir Qasim 
(c) Shah Alam II    
(d) Tipu Sultan

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Tipu Sultan established embassies in France, Turkey and Egypt on modern lines.

Question 36:
Which one of the following statements is incorrect?  [2000] 
(a) Goa attained full statehood in 1987. 
(b) Diu is an island in the Gulf of Khambhat. 
(c) Daman and Diu were separated from Goa by the 56th Amendment of the Constitution of India. 
(d) Dadra and Nagar Haveli were under French colonial rule till 1954.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Dadra and Nagar Haveli was under Portuguese colonial rule till 1954 and not French colonial rule.

Question 37:
The last major extension of British Indian territory took place during the time of [2000] 
(a) Dufferin 
(b) Dalhousie 
(c) Lytton 
(d) Curzon

Correct Answer is Option (b)
The last major extension of British Indian Territory took place during Dalhousie under his Doctrine of Lapse (Jhansi, Satara, Jaitpur, Sambalpur, Udaipur and Nagpur) and on the basis of misgovernance (Awadh).

Question 38:
Consider the following events: [1999] 
1. Indigo Revolt 
2. Santhal Rebellion 
3. Deccan Riot 
4. Mutiny of the Sepoys 
The correct chronological sequence of these events is: 
(a) 4, 2, 1, 3 
(b) 4, 2, 3, 1 
(c) 2, 4, 3, 1 
(d) 2, 4, 1, 3

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Indigo revolt – 1860; Santhal rebellion – 1855-56; Deccan riot – 1875

Question 39:
Which one of the following statements is not correct? [1999]
(a) 'Neel Darpan' was a play based on the exploitation of the Indigo farmers. 
(b) The author of the play 'Ghashiram Kotwal's is Vijay Tendulkar. 
(c) The play 'Navann' by Nabin Chandra Das was based on the famine of Bengal. 
(d) Urdu theatre used to depend heavily on Parsi theatre.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Ghashiram Kotwal is a Marathi play written by playwright Vijay Tendulkar in 1972. Neel Darpan, the Mirror of Indigo; translated as Neel Darpan; or, the Indigo Planting Mirror is a Bengali play written by Dinabandhu Mitra in 1858-1859. The play was essential to Neel Bidroha, or Indigo Revolt.

Question 40:
At a time when empires in Europe were crumbling before the might of Napoleon, which one of the following Governors-General kept the British flag flying high in India? [1999] 
(a) Warren Hastings 
(b) Lord Cornwallis 
(c) Lord Wellesley 
(d) Lord Hastings

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Lord Hastings (1813-23)

Question 41:
The Governor-General who followed a spirited "Forward" policy towards Afghanistan was: [1999] 
(a) Minto 
(b) Dufferin 
(c) Elgin 
(d) Lytton

Correct Answer is Option (d)
Lord Lytton (1876-80)

Question 42:
The first feature film (talkie) to be produced in India was: [1999] 
(a) Hatimtai 
(b) Alam Ara 
(c) Pundalik 
(d) Raja Harishchandra

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Alam Ara was the first Indian sound film directed by Ardeshir Irani. The first Indian talkie was so popular that police aid had to be summoned to control the crowds.

Question 43:
There was no independent development of industries in India during British rule because of the: [1999] 
(a) absence of heavy industries 
(b) scarcity of foreign capital 
(c) scarcity of natural resources 
(d) preference of the rich to invest inland

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The economy under the Britishers worked on the principle that India would produce raw materials. The raw materials like cotton, iron ore; indigo etc would then be bought at low rates and exported to England for its industries to consume. India would then be used also as a market to sell off finished goods. Hence there was no need for any heavy industry here.

Question 44:
The paintings of Abanindranath Tagore are classified as: [1999] 
(a) realistic 
(b) socialistic 
(c) revivalistic 
(d) impressionistic

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Abanindranath Tagore is known as the leader of the Revivalist Movement in the field of modern Indian painting in Bengal.

Question 45:
The educated middle class in India: [1998] 
(a) opposed the revolt of 1857 
(b) supported the revolt of 1857 
(c) remained neutral to the revolt of 1857 
(d) fought against native rulers

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The revolt did not spread to all parts of the country. Nor was it supported by all groups and sections of the Indian society. South and West India remained largely outside the fold of the revolt. Many Indian rulers refused to help the rebels and some were openly hostile to the rebels and helped the British in suppressing the revolt. The middle and upper classes and the modern educated Indians also did not support the revolt.

Question 46:
Who among the following was associated with the suppression of thugs? [1997] 
(a) General Henry Prendergast 
(b) Captain Sleeman 
(c) Alexander Burres 
(d) Captain Robert Pemberton

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Captain William Sleeman was appoin ted by Lord William Bentick (1828-35) to suppress the thugs.

Question 47:
Which one of the following is an important historical novel written during the latter half of the nineteenth century? [1996] 
(a) Rast Goftar 
(b) Durgesh Nandini 
(c) Maratha 
(d) Nibandhamala

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Durgesh Nandini was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1862-1864 in Bangla.

Question 48:
Consider the following landmarks in Indian education: [1996] 
1. Hindu College, Calcutta 
2. University of Calcutta 
3. Adam's Report 
4. Wood's Despatch 
The correct chronological order of these landmarks is: 
(a) 1, 3, 4, 2 
(b) 1, 4, 3, 2 
(c) 3, 1,4, 2 
(d) 3, 2, 4, 1

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Hindu College, Calcutta - 1817; University of Calcutta - 1858; Adam’s Report – 1835-38; Wood’s Despatch - 1854

Question 49:
Who among the following was the first European to initiate the policy of taking part in the quarrels of Indian princes with a view to acquiring territories? [1996] 
(a) Clive 
(b) Dupleix 
(c) Albuquerque 
(d) Warren Hastings

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Dupleix succeeded Dumas as the French governor of Pondicherry. His ambition now was to acquire for France vast territories in India, and for this purpose, he entered into relations with the native princes and adopted a style of oriental splendour in his dress and surroundings. He built an army of native troops, called sepoys, who were trained as infantrymen men in his service also included the famous Hyder Ali of Mysore. Colonial administrator and governor-general of the French territories in India, who nearly realized his dream of establishing a French empire in India.

Question 50:
The word Adivasi was used for the first time to refer to the tribal people by: [1995] 
(a) Mahatma Gandhi 
(b) Thakkar Bappa 
(c) Jyotiba Phule 
(d) B.R. Ambedkar

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Adivasi means primitive people