Modern History (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

1. Which one of the following territories was not affected by the Revolt of 1857? [2005]

Correct Answer: (b) Chittor
Solution:Leader: Jhansi - Rani Laxmibai; Lucknow - Begum Hazrat Mehal; Jagdishpur (Bihar)- Kunwar Singh.
• The Revolt of 1857, often considered the first war of Indian independence, was fueled by multiple political, economic, social, and military grievances against British rule.
• Politically, the aggressive annexation policies of the British, including the Doctrine of Lapse, led to the loss of sovereignty for many Indian rulers.
• The economic causes of the Revolt of 1857, high taxation and exploitation facilitated by British economic policies, devastated traditional industries and led to widespread poverty among artisans and farmers.
• Socially, the British were seen as a threat to Indian religious practices and social norms, especially with reforms like the banning of Sati and the introduction of Western education.
• The immediate cause was the introduction of the Enfield rifle with cartridges rumoured to be greased with cow and pig fat, which deeply offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.
• These factors collectively ignited a rebellion across parts of northern and central India.

2. Consider the following statements: [2005]

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 the 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?

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2
Solution:

Statement 3 is incorrect as Raja Ram Mohan Roy's campaign against Sati led to the enactment of Bengal Regulation Act of 1829 to ban Sati by Governor-General William Bentick.

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Gattunath Bose were the first graduates of the 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).

3. Who among the following repealed the Vernacular Press Act? [2005]

Correct Answer: (b) Lord Ripon
Solution:Lord Lytton brought Vernacular Press Act came in to force in 1878. It was repealed by Lord Ripon in 1882.
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was enacted to curtail the freedom of the Indian press and suppress criticism of British policies. Introduced in response to growing dissent, especially after the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80), the act reflected the British government's attempt to silence opposition. Proposed by Lord Lytton, the then Viceroy of India, it specifically targeted newspapers published in Indian languages that voiced resistance to colonial rule.
The Vernacular Press Act, passed by the Viceroy’s Council in 1878, excluded English-language publications. It was designed to control seditious writing in 'publications in Oriental languages' across the country. However, widespread opposition to the act grew over time, leading to its eventual repeal in 1882 under Lord Ripon’s administration..

4. Which one of the following is the correct statement? [2005]

Correct Answer: (b) The Dutch defeated the Portuguese and built Fort Williams in the modern Kochi.
Solution:

Option 1 is incorrect because the Dutch did not control Kochi till Indias independence. It was actually under the rule of the British Empire from 1814 until Indias independence in 1947.
Option 2 is the correct answer. The Dutch indeed defeated the Portuguese in the Battle of Kochi in 1663. However, they did not build Fort Williams in Kochi, but they constructed Fort Kochi following their victory.
Option 3 is incorrect as the Portuguese were the first European colonizers in Kochi from 1503, much earlier than when the Dutch took over in 1663.
Option 4 is incorrect; Kochi did become part of the British colony. The British took control of Kochi from the Dutch in 1814 under the Anglo-Dutch Treaty and it remained so until Indian independence in 1947.

5. 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?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 & 3
Solution: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.
Lord Cornwallis modernized the traditional Indian police system by replacing the zamindars' police duties with a structured force headed by Darogas and District Superintendents of Police, laying the foundation for the modern Indian police system through his reforms, often called the Cornwallis Code.

6. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the battles fought in India in the 18th Century? [2005]

Correct Answer: (b) Battle of Ambur-Battle of Plassey-Battle of Wandiwash-Battle of Buxar
Solution:

Battle of Ambur:- It was fought on 3rd August 1749, and it was the part of the Second Carnatic War. This battle was against Anwaruddin Muhammed Khan, the Nawab of Carnatic. This battle had proved the superiority of European arms (French). After this battle, Chanda Sahib was declared as Nawab of Carnatic.

Battle of Plassey:- It was fought on 23rd June 1757, near Murshidabad in the battlefield of Plassey. In this battle, Siraj-ud-Daula was defeated by the British forces.

Battle of Wandiwash:- It was fought on 22nd Jan 1760 and is part of the Seven Years War(3rd Carnatic War) fought between two European forces i.e. French and British. French forces were defeated in this battle.

Battle of Buxar:- It was a decisive battle which was fought on 22nd Oct 1764 in the battlefield of Buxar. In this conflict British forces were led by Major Hector Munro, who maintained the discipline and coordination and defeated Indian powers led by Shah Alam-II. After this battle Treaty of Allahabad was signed with Mughal emperor Shah Alam-II.

7. Who among the following was a proponent of Fabianism as a movement? [2005]

Correct Answer: (a) Annie Besant
Solution:

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.

8. Consider the following statements: [2006]

1. The Charter Act, 1853 abolished East India Company 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?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:The Charter Act, 1813 (not 1853) abolished East India Company monopoly of Indian trade.
• The Charter Acts were a series of legislations passed by the British Parliament to regulate the affairs of the East India Company and address the evolving needs of governance and administration in British India.
• Each act played a significant role in shaping colonial India’s political, economic, and social landscape.

9. Which one of the following revolts was made famous by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his novel 'Anand Math'? [2006]

Correct Answer: (d) Sanyasi rebellion
Solution: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.
The Sanyasi Revolt was one of the earliest uprisings against British rule in India, taking place in Bengal during the late 18th century. It was led by Hindu monks known as Sanyasis, along with Muslim fakirs and local peasants, who protested against oppressive taxes and harsh policies imposed by the British. While it was not a highly organized political movement like the Revolt of 1857, it marked an early expression of Indian resistance.
The term “Sanyasi” refers to ascetics or monks who renounce worldly life. Many of these Sanyasis, primarily from northern India, traveled across Bengal collecting alms. When British authorities imposed strict controls and heavy taxation, the Sanyasis struggled to survive, prompting their resistance, which soon escalated into a widespread revolt..

10. With reference to the 'revolt of the year' who of the following was betrayed by 'friend' captured and put to death by the British? [2006]

Correct Answer: (d) Tatya Tope
Solution:

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.