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Modern History- Solved Questions (2008-2018)

Question 1:
Consider the following events: [2018-I] 
1. The first democratically elected communist party government formed in a State in India 
2. India's then-largest bank, 'Imperial Bank of India', was renamed 'State Bank of India'. 
3. Air India was nationalized and became the national carrier. 
4. Goa became a part of independent India 
Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?
(a) 4 - 1 - 2 - 3 
(b) 3 - 2 - 1 - 4 
(c) 4 - 2 - 1 - 3 
(d) 3 -1-2 - 4

Question 2:
Which one of the following foreign travelers elaborately discussed diamonds and diamond mines of India? [2018-I]
(a) Francois Bernier  
(b) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier 
(c) Jean de Thevenot 
(d) Abbe Barthelemy Carre

Question 3:
Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948? [2018-I] 
(a) (B) Krishna Pillai, E.M.S. Namboodiripad and K.(C) George 
(b) Jayaprakash Narayan , DeenDayal Upadhyay and M.N. Roy 
(c) (C)P. Ramaswamy Iyer, K. Kamaraj and Veeresalingam Pantulu 
(d) Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam and G.G. Mehta

Question 4:
Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India? [2018-I] 
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 
(a) 1 and 2 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 5:
Regarding Wood's Dispatch, which of the following statements are true? [2018-I] 
1. Grants-in-Aid system was introduce(d) 
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: 
(a) 1 and 2 only 
(b) 2 and 3 only 
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 6:
With reference to educational institutes during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs of Institution vs Founder:  [2018-I] 
1. Sanskrit College at Benaras: William Jones 
2. Calcutta Madarsa: Warren Hastings 
3. Fort William College: Arthur Wellesley 
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct? 
(a) 1 and 2 
(b) 2 only 
(c) 1 and 3 
(d) 3 only


Question 7:
Which among the following events happened earliest? [2018-I] 
(a) Swami Dayanand established Arya Samaj. 
(b) Dinabandhu Mitra wrote Neeldarpan. 
(c) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Anandmath. 
(d) Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian to succeed in the Indian Civil Services Examination.

Question 8:
Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 19th century was the [2018-I] 
(a) increase in the export of Indian handicrafts 
(b) growth in the number of Indian owned factories 
(c) commercialization of Indian agriculture 
(d) rapid increase in the urban population

Question 9:
Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley? [2018-I] 
(a) To maintain a large standing army at other's expense 
(b) To keep India safe from Napoleonic danger 
(c) To secure a fixed income for the Company 
(d) To establish British paramountcy over the Indian States

Question 10:
The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century were [2018-I] 
(a) Raw cotton, oil-seeds and opium 
(b) Sugar, salt, zinc and lead 
(c) Copper, silver, gold, spices and tea 
(d) Cotton, silk, saltpetre and opium

Question 11:
With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following statements : [2018-I] 
1. Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna 
2. Tyagaraja created several new ragas. 
3. Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries. 
4. An namach ar ya kir tanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara 
Which of the statements given above are correct? 
(a) 1 and 3 only 
(b) 2 and 4 only 
(c) 1, 2 and 3 
(d) 2, 3 and 4

Question 12:
The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War [2016-I] 
(a) India should be granted complete independence 
(b) India should be partitioned into two before granting independence 
(c) India should be made a republic with the condition that she will join the Commonwealth 
(d) India should be given Dominion status

Question 13:
What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907? [2016-I] 
(a) Introduction of communalism into Indian politics by Lord Minto 
(b) Extremists' lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government 
(c) Foundation of Muslim League 
(d) Aurobindo Ghosh's inability to be elected as the President of the Indian National Congress

Question 14:
Consider the following : [2016-I] 
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? 
(a) 1 and 3 only 
(b) 2 and 3 only 
(c) 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 15:
The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to [2016-I]
(a) social reforms  
(b) educational reforms 
(c) reforms in police administration 
(d) constitutional reforms

Question 16:
Satya ShodhakSamaj organized [2016-I] 
(a) a movement for upliftment of tribals in Bihar 
(b) a temple-entry movement in Gujarat 
(c) an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra 
(d) a peasant movement in Punjab

Question 17:
The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined [2015-1] 
(a) the separation of power between thejudiciary and the legislature 
(b) the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments 
(c) the powers of the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy 
(d) None of the above

Question 18:
Who of the following was/were economic critic/ critics of colonialism in India? [2015-I] 
1. Dadabhai Naoroji 
2. G. Subramania Iyer 
3. R. C. Dutt 
Select the correct answer using the code given below. 
(a) 1 only 
(b) 1 and 2 only 
(c) 2 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 19:
With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/ are the essential element/elements of the feudal system? [2015-I] 
1. A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority. 
2. Emergence  of administrative structure based on control and possession of land. 
3. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord. 
Select the correct answer using the code given below. 
(a) 1 and 2 only 
(b) 2 and 3 only 
(c) 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 20:
The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a [2014 - I] 
(a) revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco 
(b) nationalist organization operating from Singapore 
(c) militant organization with headquarters at Berlin 
(d) communist movement for India's freedom with head quarters at Tashkent

Question 21:
A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their [2014 - I] 
(a) martial arts in North-East India 
(b) musical tradition in North-West India 
(c) classical vocal music in South India 
(d) pietra dura tradition in Central India

Question 22:
What was/wer e th e object/objects of Queen Victor ia's Proclamation (1858)? [2014 - I] 
1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States. 
2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown. 
3. To regulate East India Company's trade with India. 
Select the correct answer using the code given below. 
(a) 1 and 2 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 23:
The  Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until [2014 - I] 
(a) the First World  War  when Indian troops were needed by the British and the partition was ended 
(b) King George V abrogated Curzon's Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911 
(c) Gandhiji launched  his  Civil Disobedience Movement 
(d) the Partition of India in 1947 when East Bengal became East Pakistan

Question 24:
The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to [2014 - I] 
(a) solve the problem of minorities in India 
(b) give effect to the Independence Bill 
(c) delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan 
(d) enquire into the riots in East Bengal

Question 25:
The Ilbert Bill controversy was related to the [2013 - I] 
(a) imposition of certain restrictions to carry arms by the Indians 
(b) imposition of restrictions on newspapers and magazines published in Indian languages 
(c) removal of disqualifications imposed on the Indian magistrates with regard to the trial of the Europeans 
(d) removal of a duty on imported cotton cloth

Question 26:
Consider the following : [2012 - I] 
1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops. 
2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare. 
3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies. 
Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?
(a) 1 only 
(b) 1 and 2 
(c) 2 and 3 
(d) None

Question 27:
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj? [2012 - I] 
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 using the codes given below: 
(a) 1 only 
(b) 1 and 2 only 
(c) 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 28:
With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, consider the following statements : [2012 - I] 1. The rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government. 
2. The Government gave Pattas to the Ryots. 
3. The lands were surveyed and assessed before being taxed. 
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
(a) 1 only 
(b) 1 and 2 only 
(c) 1, 2 and 3 
(d) None

Question 29:
What was the purpose with which Sir William Wedderburn and W.S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893 ? [2011 - I] 
(a) To agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons. 
(b) To campaign for the entry of Indians into the Imperial Judiciary. 
(c) To facilitate a discussion on India's Independence in the British Parliament. 
(d) To agitate for the entry of eminent Indians into the British Parliament.

Question 30:
With reference to the period of colonial rule in India, "Home Charges" formed an important part of drain of wealth from India. Which of the following funds constituted "Home Charges'' ? [2011 - I] 
1. Funds used to support the India office in London. 
2. Funds used to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in India. 
3. Funds used for waging wars outside India by the British. 
(a) 1 only 
(b) 1 and 2 only 
(c) 2 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 31:
Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century? [2011 - I] 
(a) Introduction of a new system of land revenue and taxation of tribal products. 
(b) Influence of foreign religious missionaries in tribal areas. 
(c) Rise of a large number of money lenders, traders and revenue farmers as middlemen in tribal areas. 
(d) The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities.

Question 32:
The tendency for increased litigation was visible after the introduction of the land settlement system of Lord Cornwallis in 1793. The reason for this is normally traced to which of the following  provisions ? [2011 - I]
(a) Making Zamindar 's position stronger Vis-Vis the Ryot 
(b) Making East India Company an overlord of Zamindars 
(c) Making judicial system more efficient 
(d) None of the (a), (b) and (c) above

Question 33:
With reference to Pondicherry (now Puducherry), consider the following statements: [2010] 
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 ? 
(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 and 3 only 
(c) 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 34:
What was the immediate reason for Ahmad Shah Abdali to invade India and fight the third battle of Panipat ?  [2010] 
(a) He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore. 
(b) The frustrated governor of Jalandhar Adina Beg Khan invited him to invade Punjab. 
(c) He wanted to punish Mughal administration for nonpayment of the revenues of the Chahar Mahal (Gujarat, Aurangabad, Sialkot and Pasrur). 
(d) He wanted to annex the fertile plains of Punjab up to the borders of Delhi in his kingdom.

Question 35:
By a regulation in 1793, the District Collector was deprived of hisjudicial powers and made the collecting agent only. What was the reason for such a regulation?    [2010] 
(a) Lord Cornwallis felt that the District Collector's efficiency of revenue collection would enormously increase without the burden of additional work. 
(b) Lord Cornwallis felt that judicial power should compulsorily be in the hands of Europeans while Indians can be given thejob of revenue collection in the districts. 
(c) Lord Cornwallis was alarmed at the extent of power concentrated in the District Collector and felt that such absolute power was undesirable in one person. 
(d) Thejudicial work demanded a deep knowledge of India and a good training in law and Lord Cornwallis felt that District Collector should be only a revenue collector.

Question 36:
Who among the following Governor Generals created the Covenanted Civil Service of India which later came to be known as the Indian Civil Service ? [2010] 
(a) Warren Hastings 
(b) Wellesley 
(c) Cornwallis 
(d) William Bentinck

Question 37:
Consider the following statements: [2009] 
1. The first telegraph line in India was laid between Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and Diamond Harbour. 
2. The first Export Processing Zone in India was set up in Kandla. 
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) Both 1 and 2 
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Question 38:
In collaboration with David Hare and Alexander Duff, who of the following established Hindu College at Calcutta?   [2009]
(a) Henry Louis Vivian Derozio                                 
(b) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar 
(c) Keshab Chandra Sen 
(d) Raja Rammohan Roy

Question 39:
Who among the following wrote the book Bahubivah?  [2008] 
(a) Raja Rammohan Roy           
(b) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar 
(c) Pandita Rambai 
(d) Rabindranath Tagore

Question 40:
Which one of the following was the first fort constructed by the British in India? [2008] 
(a) Fort William 
(b) Fort St George 
(c) Fort St David 
(d) Fort St Angelo

Question 41:
Consider the following statements: 
1. Robert Clive was the first Governor-General of Bengal. 
2. William Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India. 
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?    [2008] 
(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) Both 1 and 2 
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Question 42:
Who among the following Europeans were the last to come to pre-independence India as traders? [2008] 
(a) Dutch 
(b) English 
(c) French 
(d) Por tuguese

Question 43:
The First Factory Act restricting the working hours of women and children and authorizing local government to make necessary rules was adopted during whose time?   [2008] 
(a) Lord Lytton 
(b) Lord Bentinck 
(c) Lord Ripon 
(d) Lord Canning

The document Modern History- Solved Questions (2008-2018) is a part of the UPSC Course UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions.
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FAQs on Modern History- Solved Questions (2008-2018)

1. What are the major events in Modern Indian History that are frequently asked in UPSC exams from 2008 to 2018?
Ans. Major events include the Indian Independence Movement, partition of India in 1947, the role of prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, the impact of World War II on India, and significant legislative acts such as the Government of India Act 1935.
2. How has the UPSC exam pattern evolved concerning Modern History questions from 2008 to 2018?
Ans. The UPSC exam pattern has shifted towards integrating analytical questions that require candidates to connect different historical events and their impacts, rather than just factual recall. There is also a greater emphasis on thematic questions, such as socio-economic changes during colonial rule.
3. Which topics in Modern History have the highest weightage in the UPSC exam?
Ans. Topics with high weightage include the freedom struggle (especially non-violent movements), socio-religious reform movements, the British colonial policies, the impact of World Wars on India, and the post-independence consolidation of India.
4. What are some effective study strategies for preparing Modern History for the UPSC exam?
Ans. Effective strategies include creating timelines for major events, using NCERT books for foundational knowledge, practicing previous years' question papers, joining study groups for discussions, and making concise notes for revision.
5. How important is the understanding of socio-economic aspects in Modern History for the UPSC examination?
Ans. Understanding socio-economic aspects is crucial as it helps in analyzing the broader implications of historical events, enabling candidates to answer questions related to the impact of colonial policies on Indian society, economy, and culture.
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