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UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Test  >  Old & New NCERTs for IAS Preparation (Must Read)  >  Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - UPSC MCQ

Ruling the Countryside - Free MCQ Test with solutions, UPSC


MCQ Practice Test & Solutions: Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside (25 Questions)

You can prepare effectively for UPSC Old & New NCERTs for IAS Preparation (Must Read) with this dedicated MCQ Practice Test (available with solutions) on the important topic of "Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside". These 25 questions have been designed by the experts with the latest curriculum of UPSC 2026, to help you master the concept.

Test Highlights:

  • - Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
  • - Duration: 25 minutes
  • - Number of Questions: 25

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Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 1
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What was a major consequence of the Permanent Settlement introduced by the East India Company in 1793?

Detailed Solution: Question 1

The Permanent Settlement fixed the revenue demands permanently, which often led to zamindars being unable to pay the high fixed amounts. As a result, many zamindari lands were sold off at auctions when zamindars failed to meet their revenue obligations.

Topic in NCERT: Revenue for the Company

Line in NCERT: "The revenue that had been fixed was so high that the zamindars found it difficult to pay. Anyone who failed to pay the revenue lost his zamindari. Numerous zamindaris were sold off at auctions organised by the Company."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 2
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In which year was the Permanent Settlement System started?

Detailed Solution: Question 2

The Permanent Settlement was introduced first in Bengal and Bihar, and then in the south district of Madras and Varanasi. The system eventually spread all over northern India by a series of regulations dated 1 May 1793

Topic in NCERT: Permanent Settlement

Line in NCERT: "After two decades of debate on the question, the Company finally introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793."

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Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 3
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Why did Company officials introduce the Permanent Settlement in 1793?

Detailed Solution: Question 3

Company officials introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793 to encourage investment in land and improve agriculture. This means they wanted people to make the land better so that everyone could benefit from it.

Topic in NCERT: Revenue for the Company

Line in NCERT: "It was felt that this would ensure a regular flow of revenue into the Company's coffers and at the same time encourage the zamindars to invest in improving the land."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 4
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The following set of statements show the disadvantages and the problems faced by the Permanent Settlement system:-
Choose the one that is not true.

Detailed Solution: Question 4

The Permanent Settlement, however, created problems.
Company officials soon discovered that the zamindars were in fact not investing in the improvement of land.
The revenue that had been fixed was so high that the zamindars found it difficult to pay.

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 5
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What is the literal meaning of the Greek word indikon?

Detailed Solution: Question 5

“Indikon” is Greek, meaning “from India”.

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 6
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What significant event took place in 1765 that marked the beginning of the East India Company's financial control over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa?

Detailed Solution: Question 6

In 1765, the Mughal emperor appointed the East India Company as the Diwan of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, giving the Company significant financial control and administrative responsibilities over these regions.

Topic in NCERT: The Company Becomes the Diwan

Line in NCERT: "On 12 August 1765, the Mughal emperor appointed the East India Company as the Diwan of Bengal."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 7
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A set of statements with respect to the ryot cultivation of indigo is given below. Select the one that is not applicable to the ryot cultivation.

Detailed Solution: Question 7

Nij = planters’ own directly managed land;
Ryoti = peasants’ land under contract.

Topic in NCERT: How was indigo cultivated?

Line in NCERT: "Within the system of nij cultivation, the planter produced indigo in lands that he directly controlled."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 8
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Which one of the following statements are True with respect to the Mahalwari System?

Detailed Solution: Question 8

In the Mahalwari System, the village headman or intermediary collected taxes from the cultivators and paid them collectively to the British authorities. The landlords were responsible for ensuring the collection and payment, but the village headman dealt directly with the cultivators. The system also created a new class of landlords loyal to the British.

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 9
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Who are called the ryots?

Detailed Solution: Question 9

  • Ryot was a general economic term used throughout India for peasant cultivators but with variations in different provinces.
  • While zamindars were landlords, raiyats were tenants and cultivators, and served as hired labour.

Topic in NCERT: The cultivators or the peasants who actually worked on the land.

Line in NCERT: "The cultivators or the peasants who actually worked on the land."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 10
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A set of statements on how the Permanent Settlement system was advantageous to the British are given below.
Pick out the one that is not applicable.

Detailed Solution: Question 10

A is the correct answer because under the Permanent Settlement system there was an agreement between the company and the Zamindars to fix the land revenue.
Since the settlement was of a permanent nature, the Zamindars had an interest in the improvement of the land thereby improving the revenue.

Topic in NCERT: Permanent Settlement

Line in NCERT: "The amount to be paid was fixed permanently, that is, it was not to be increased ever in future."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 11
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State whether the following statement is True or False

The ryotwar system was developed by Thomas Munro in the British territories of South India.

Detailed Solution: Question 11

  • The statement is True. Thomas Munro, along with Captain Alexander Read, devised the ryotwar system in the British territories in South India. They believed that the British should directly settle with the cultivators (ryots) who worked on the land for generations.

  • Thomas Munro thought of the British as protective figures for the ryots, caring for them like father figures. The ryotwar system aimed to have a direct settlement with the cultivators instead of traditional zamindars.

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 12
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What was the name of the system introduced by Captain Alexander Read and developed by Thomas Munro?

Detailed Solution: Question 12

  • The system introduced by Captain Alexander Read and developed by Thomas Munro was called the Ryotwar (or Ryotwari) system.
  • This system involved making settlements directly with the cultivators who worked on the land.
  • It aimed to protect the farmers and ensure fair revenue assessment.

Topic in NCERT: The Munro system

Line in NCERT: "the new system that was devised came to be known as the ryotwar (or ryotwari). It was tried on a small scale by Captain Alexander Read in some of the areas that were taken over by the Company after the wars with Tipu Sultan. Subsequently developed by Thomas Munro, this system was gradually extended all over south India."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 13
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Name the Englishman who introduced the Mahalwari Settlement System as a substitute to the e Permanent Settlement System.

Detailed Solution: Question 13

Mahalwari system was one of the main revenue systems of the British in India. Holt Mackenzie and Robert Merttins Bird started this system in 1822 as a substitute of the permanent settlement system. In this system, the land revenue was collected by the village headmen, and it was not fixed.

Topic in NCERT: A new system is devised

Line in NCERT: "In the North Western Provinces of the Bengal Presidency (most of this area is now in Uttar Pradesh), an Englishman called Holt Mackenzie devised the new system which came into effect in 1822."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 14
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Which Governor-General of Bengal introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793?

Detailed Solution: Question 14

Charles Cornwallis, the Governor-General of Bengal, introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793, aiming to stabilise revenue collection by fixing the revenue demands permanently.

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 15
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From among the regions mentioned below, which region introduced the Mahalwari Settlement System in 1822 ?

Detailed Solution: Question 15

Mahal means village or estate. The land tax was fixed for the entire Mahal. The local Zamindar was responsible for the tax collection of all the farmers in that Mahal. This system was implemented in North-Western Provinces.

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 16
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What was a significant drawback of nij cultivation for indigo planters?

Detailed Solution: Question 16

Planters found it difficult to expand nij cultivation because fertile land was already densely populated, making it hard to acquire large areas for plantation. This led to conflicts and difficulties in obtaining the necessary land and resources.

Topic in NCERT: RULING THE COUNTRYSIDE

Line in NCERT: "Indigo could be cultivated only on fertile lands, and these were all already densely populated."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 17
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Why did the British decide to cultivate crops like jute, tea, sugarcane, wheat, cotton, and rice in India during their rule?

Detailed Solution: Question 17

The British aimed to cultivate crops like jute, tea, sugarcane, wheat, cotton, and rice to meet the demands of the European market, which required these crops for various industrial and commercial purposes.

Topic in NCERT: Crops for Europe

Line in NCERT: "The British also realised that the countryside could not only yield revenue, it could also grow the crops that Europe required."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 18
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State whether the following statement is True or False

The Company officials introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793 to encourage zamindars to invest in improving the land.

Detailed Solution: Question 18

The statement is True.

Topic in NCERT: The Permanent Settlement

Line in NCERT: "The Company finally introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793. By the terms of the settlement, the rajas and taluqdars were recognised as zamindars. They were asked to collect rent from the peasants and pay revenue to the Company. The amount to be paid was fixed permanently, that is, it was not to be increased ever in future. It was felt that this would ensure a regular flow of revenue into the Company's coffers and at the same time encourage the zamindars to invest in improving the land."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 19
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Who did the Mughal emperor appoint as the Diwan of Bengal on 12 August 1765?

Detailed Solution: Question 19

  • The Mughal emperor appointed the East India Company as the Diwan of Bengal on 12 August 1765.
  • This meant the Company became responsible for managing the finances in that region.
  • The Company had to think about how to collect money and goods and also make sure it could buy what it needed and sell what it wanted.
  • This was an important event in history because it changed how Bengal was governed and how the Company operated there.

Topic in NCERT: The Company Becomes the Diwan

Line in NCERT: "On 12 August 1765, the Mughal emperor appointed the East India Company as the Diwan of Bengal."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 20
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What was one of the main reasons for the British shift from Bengal to Bihar for indigo production after the rebellion?

Detailed Solution: Question 20

After the rebellion, indigo production in Bengal collapsed. The British shifted their focus to Bihar, where they continued indigo cultivation despite the eventual discovery of synthetic dyes impacting the industry.

Topic in NCERT: The "Blue Rebellion" and After

Line in NCERT: "After the revolt, indigo production collapsed in Bengal. But the planters now shifted their operation to Bihar."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 21
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What was the primary reason for the collapse of artisanal production and agricultural cultivation in Bengal by the late 18th century?

Detailed Solution: Question 21

The primary reason for the collapse of artisanal production and agricultural cultivation in Bengal by the late 18th century was:

Forced sale of goods to the Company at low prices

During the late 18th century, under British rule, the East India Company imposed policies that severely affected local artisans and agriculture in Bengal. The forced sale of goods at low prices to the Company, combined with oppressive taxation and a lack of market access, devastated local industries and agriculture. This economic exploitation led to the decline of traditional crafts and agricultural productivity.

Topic in NCERT: Artisans in Crisis

Line in NCERT: "artisans were deserting villages since they were being forced to sell their goods to the Company at low prices."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 22
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Which system of cultivation involved planters forcing ryots to sign contracts to grow indigo on a portion of their land?

Detailed Solution: Question 22

The ryoti system involved planters forcing ryots to sign contracts to grow indigo on at least 25% of their land. Ryots received cash advances but were trapped in a cycle of debt due to low prices paid for the indigo they produced.

Topic in NCERT: Indigo on the land of ryots

Line in NCERT: "Under the ryoti system, the planters forced the ryots to sign a contract, an agreement (satta)."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 23
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Which new system of revenue collection was introduced by Holt Mackenzie in the North Western Provinces of the Bengal Presidency in 1822?

Detailed Solution: Question 23

Holt Mackenzie introduced the Mahalwari system in 1822, where the revenue was collected from a village or group of villages (mahal) and revised periodically. The responsibility for collecting and paying the revenue was given to the village headman.

Topic in NCERT: Mahalwari Settlement

Line in NCERT: "The estimated revenue of each plot within a village was added up to calculate the revenue that each village (mahal) had to pay. This demand was to be revised periodically, not permanently fixed. The charge of collecting the revenue and paying it to the Company was given to the village headman, rather than the zamindar. This system came to be known as the mahalwari settlement."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 24
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What triggered the widespread Indigo Rebellion in Bengal in 1859?

Detailed Solution: Question 24

The Indigo Rebellion was triggered by thousands of ryots in Bengal refusing to grow indigo. They resisted the oppressive system, attacked indigo factories, and boycotted those working for the planters.

Topic in NCERT: The "Blue Rebellion" and After

Line in NCERT: "In March 1859, thousands of ryots in Bengal refused to grow indigo."

Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside - Question 25
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State whether the following statement is True or False:

The East India Company became the Diwan of Bengal on 12 August 1765.

Detailed Solution: Question 25

  • The East India Company was appointed as the Diwan of Bengal on 12 August 1765.
  • This means they became the chief financial administrator of the territory and had to manage revenue and resources. They needed to collect money from the land to pay for things they needed and wanted to buy. So, the statement is True.

Topic in NCERT: The Company Becomes the Diwan

Line in NCERT: "On 12 August 1765, the Mughal emperor appointed the East India Company as the Diwan of Bengal."

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This test contains 25 MCQs on Important Questions Test: Ruling the Countryside with detailed solutions for each question. It is part of the Old & New NCERTs for IAS Preparation (Must Read) course on EduRev, designed to align with the current UPSC syllabus. Each solution explains not just the correct answer but also gives you an understanding of the topic — not just to attempt the question but also help you prepare for the exam with practice.

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