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Modern History (Part-II)

📆 March 5, 2025

Total Questions: 50

21. 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?

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:The first electric telegraph line in India was started between Kolkata and Diamond Harbour in 1850 and first export zone of India set up in Kandla in 1965.

22. 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]

Correct Answer: (c) Cornwallis
Solution:Lord Cornwallis (1786-93) was the first to bring into existence and organize the civil services.

23. By a regulation in 1793, the District Collector was deprived of his judicial powers and made the collecting agent only. What was the reason for such a regulation? [2010]

Correct Answer: (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.
Solution:The judicial reforms undertaken by Lord Cornwallis laid a strong foundation in the British Indian administrative system in the year 1793. The judicial reforms of Cornwallis were documented in the famous Cornwallis Code. However the new judicial reforms of Lord Cornwallis were based on the principle of Separation of Powers. Cornwallis at first sought to separate the revenue administration from the administration of justice. The collector used to be the head of the Revenue Department in a district and also enjoyed extensive judicial and magisterial powers. However Cornwallis wanted Separation of Power and the Cornwallis Code divested the collector of all the judicial and the magisterial powers. Thus the Collectors were given only the power of the revenue administration according to the Cornwallis Code.

A new class of officer called the District Judge was created to preside over the district Civil Court. The district judge was also given the magisterial and the police function.

24. What was the immediate reason for Ahmad Shah Abdali to invade India and fight the third battle of Panipat? [2010]

Correct Answer: (a) He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore.
Solution:To avenge their expulsion of Timur Shah, Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India for the fifth time in Oct. 1759, and finally conquered Punjab.

25. 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?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:The Portuguese established a factory in Pondicherry at the beginning of the sixteenth century. The second Europeans who occupied it were Dutch. English also invaded it in 1793 and returned it to French in 1814 after the treaty of Paris. Thus statement I only is correct.

26. 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 ? [2011-1]

Correct Answer: (d) None of the (a), (b) and (c) above
Solution:That the reforms of Cornwallis had increased the litigation and the main reason for this was the Court Fee was removed and now every body could drag anybody to courts. The extension to right of appeal was also one of the reasons. Court fees were abolished by Cornwallis. Lawyers were to prescribe their fees. Ordinary people could sue the Government servants (Indians) if they committed mistakes. Inhuman punishments such as cutting limbs, cutting nose and ears were abolished. These are some of the reasons that led to increased litigation. The reasons given in the options don't seem to fit in the criteria of the reforms of Cornwallis.

27. Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century? [2011-1]

Correct Answer: (d) The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities.
Solution:The first option is rejected because it used the term "tribal products". The second option is rejected because NOT in all areas, the impact of foreign missionaries was seen. The third option is also NOT correct, because not in all areas saw the rise of money lenders. The fourth option is correct and it includes everything what happened in that era. The most common thing was the foreign interference in the indigenous world of their own which dismantled the structure that existed since centuries.

28. 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"? [2011-1]

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.

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Solution:"The Indian Tribute whether weighted in the scales of justice or viewed in the light of our interest, will be found to be at variance with humanity, with the commonsense and with the received maxims of economical science. It would be true wisdom then to provide for the future payment of such of the Home Charges of the Indian Government as really from the tribute out of Indian Exchequer. These charges would be probably found to be the dividends on East India Stock, interest in Home debt, the salaries of the officers, establishments of the and building connected with the Home Department of Indian Government, furlough and retired pay to members of the Indian Military and Civil Services when at Home, Charges of all descriptions paid in this country connected with the British troops serving in India and portion of the cost of transporting the British troops to and from India".

29. What was the purpose with which Sir William Wedderburn and W.S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893? [2011-1]

Correct Answer: (a) To agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons.
Solution:On 28 December 1885, the Indian National Congress was founded at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay, with 72 delegates in attendance. A. O. Hume assumed office as the General Secretary. Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee of Calcutta was elected President. The additional British Members were William Wedderburn and Justice John Jardine. All others were the Hindus from Calcutta and Madras Presidency. Wedderburn had entered the parliament as a liberal member in 1893 and had sought to voice India's grievances within the house.

30. With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, consider the following statements: [2012-1]

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?

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:Ryotwari settlement, the rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government and the Government gave pattas to the Ryots.
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