Test: Structural Change - 1 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

- In 1690, Job Charnock, an English merchant, arranged to lease three villages: Kolikata, Gobindapur, and Sutanuti by the river Hugli.
- These villages were leased to establish a trading post for the English East India Company.
- This event marked the foundation of the city of Kolkata (previously known as Calcutta).
- The strategic location by the river Hugli was ideal for trade and helped the British expand their influence in India.

The correct answer is D: All of the above.
- Agriculture as Primary Occupation: Villages typically rely on agriculture because of the availability of land and the traditional nature of farming practices.
- Low Population: Villages usually have smaller populations compared to urban areas, leading to a tight-knit community.
- Primary Relations: Social interactions in villages often involve close family and community ties, fostering strong, direct relationships.
These features collectively describe the typical characteristics of a village.

The establishment of rule by one country over another is known as colonialism.

- Capitalism is the correct answer.
- It is an economic system characterized by:
- Private Ownership: Individuals or corporations own the means of production.
- Profit Motive: Businesses operate to generate profit.
- Market System: Goods and services are exchanged in markets based on supply and demand.
- In capitalism, decisions on investment, production, and distribution are driven by competition and consumer choice, leading to innovation and economic growth.

The correct answer is D: All of the above.
- Increasing area of cities: Industrialization leads to urbanization as people move to cities for jobs, expanding city boundaries.
- Increased production and consumption: Industrialization boosts manufacturing, increasing goods production and consumption.
- Higher levels of pollution: Factories and transportation associated with industrialization emit pollutants, increasing air, water, and soil pollution.

All these factors are interconnected impacts of industrialization.

- The Indian parliamentary system and education system are largely based on the British model.
- The British influence dates back to the colonial period when India was under British rule.
- The parliamentary system is modeled after the Westminster system, featuring a bicameral legislature.
- The education system, established by the British, introduced structured curricula, examinations, and universities.
- This legacy continues to shape India’s governance and educational frameworks today.

The Indian city transformed into a major commercial and financial centre during the British colonial era is Mumbai (formerly Bombay)
- Mumbai's strategic location along the Arabian Sea made it an ideal port for trade.
- The British developed its infrastructure, including railways and docks, to facilitate commerce.
- It became a hub for textile mills and other industries, attracting business and investment.
- By the late 19th century, Mumbai was a key financial center, with banks and stock exchanges.

- A: Western ideas of freedom were contradictory to British colonial rule.

- British colonial rule in India brought Western education and ideas, including concepts of liberty and democracy. Paradoxically, these ideas inspired Indian leaders to demand freedom from British rule.
- The contradiction lay in promoting values like freedom and equality while simultaneously maintaining a regime that denied those very principles to its subjects.
- This paradox fueled movements for independence and highlighted the inherent contradictions in colonial governance.

Topic in NCERT: Colonial experience

Line in NCERT: "indians in the colonial period read about western liberalism and freedom. yet they lived under a western, colonial rule that denied indians liberty and freedom."

The correct answer is C: It shaped India's political life, laws, and industry.

- British colonial rule introduced modern political institutions, such as a centralized government and legal systems, which laid the foundation for India's democratic framework.
- The legal structures established during this period, like the Indian Penal Code, continue to influence India's judiciary.
- Colonial rule fostered industrial development, particularly in textiles and railways, which were crucial for economic growth.
- These influences collectively shaped modern India's socio-economic and political landscape.

- Introduction of Western Education: The British introduced Western education to create a class of educated Indians who could assist in administration.

- Rise of Nationalist Consciousness:
- Educated Indians gained exposure to ideas of democracy, liberty, and equality.
- These ideas fueled nationalist and anti-colonial sentiments.
- Leaders like Gandhi and Nehru were influenced by Western thought and used it to mobilize against colonial rule.

- Correct Answer: B
- Western education inadvertently promoted nationalist and anti-colonial consciousness.

Topic in NCERT: The colonial experience

Line in NCERT: "instead it led to the growth of a nationalist and anti-colonial consciousness."