Modern History (Part-III)

Total Questions: 28

21. Consider the following statements: [2021-1]

1. St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order

2. St. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there

3. The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:
  • Francis Xavier- was the one of the Christian missionaries who founded the Jesuit order in India.
  • He was responsible for the Goan Inquisition-1540s
  • His death took place in Sancian (Hongkong Region) later on his body was brought to Goa and a Church was made
  • Feast of St. Francis is celebrated every year-3rd December to mark his Birthday.

22. In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into "Reserved" and "Transferred" subjects. Which of the following were treated as "Reserved" subjects? [2021-1]

1. Administration of Justice

2. Local Self-Government

3. Land Revenue

4. Police

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4
Solution:

Option (c) is correct: reserved subjects were Justice, the police, land revenue, irrigation, law and order. Transferred subjects under the control of Indian ministers- Local self-government, education, public health, public works, agriculture, forests, and fisheries. So, #2 (local self government) is wrong, Therefore by elimination the answer is c.
The Government of India Act 1919 was a legislative framework designed to reform British India’s governance. It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which was drafted by Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India at the time.
The primary goal of the Act was to introduce a more responsible form of government in India by increasing Indian participation in the administrative machinery while retaining ultimate authority with the British Crown. The Act established a dual governance structure (dyarchy) at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework, but with some limitations.

23. With reference to the proposals of Cripps [2022-1]

Mission, consider the following statements:

1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.

2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:Statement 1 is wrong: A Constituent Assembly Members were to be partly elected by the provincial assemblies and partly nominated by the Princely states. Statement 2 is correct: Any province not willing to join the Union would be eligible to sign an agreement with British regarding its future status.
The falling of Singapore and Rangoon in the Second World War compelled Winston Churchill and the British war cabinet to send a high-powered mission to India under the supervision of Stafford Cripps. Churchill was against his own stance while signing the Atlantic Charter, 1941, proposed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the then-American President. The aim of the Mission was to win the cooperation of India with Britain vis-à-vis the War. The Mission was formulated on 30 March 1942 with the offer of ‘Dominion Status’ for India.
The Mission was a complete failure, which angered the Indian nationalists, leading to the establishment of the Quit India Movement.

24. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: [2022-1]

1. The Dutch established their factories/warehouses on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.

2. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.

3. The English East India Company established a factory at Madras on a plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Solution:

Statement 1 is wrong: First factory established by Dutch was in Masulipatnam in 1605, whereas Gajapati rule lasted till middle of 16th century. Statement 2 is correct: Albuquerque captured Goa from Sultan of Bijapur in 1510. Staternent 3 is correct.

The rulers of Vijayanagara appointed chieftains called Nayaks to rule independently in their areas. One such Nayak gave land to British for setting up a factory.

25. With reference to the Indian History, Alexander Rea, A.H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with: [2023-1]

Correct Answer: (a) archaeological excavations
Solution:

In 1854, Walter Elliot, the commissioner of Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), visited Amaravati and collected several sculpture panels and took them away to Madras. (These came to be called the Elliot marbles after him.)

He also discovered the remains of the western gateway and came to the conclusion that the structure at Amaravati was one of the largest and most magnificent Buddhist stupas ever built - says NCERT. So (a) is the answer.

26. By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India? [2023-1]

Correct Answer: (d) The Charter Act of 1833
Solution:

The Charter Act of 1833 made the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor General of India and vested in him all civil and military powers.

The Charter Act of 1833 was a significant constitutional instrument defining the scope and authority of the East India Company. The liberal and utilitarian philosophy of Bentham was made popular by the provisions of this Act.

The Governor-General of Fort William was hereafter called 'the Governor General of India'. Thus, Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India'.

A Law Member was appointed to the Governor-General's Council. T. B. Macaulay was the first Law Member of the Govemor-General-in-Council.

27. With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: [2024-1]

1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.

2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:
  • Statement 1 is correct: Government of India Act, 1935 provided for the establishment of an All-India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
  • Statement 2 is wrong: In the Government of India Act, of 1935, defence and foreign affairs were among the "reserved subjects" that remained under the control of the British government or federal executive, not under the control of the federal legislature. Hence, Option (a) is the correct answer.

28. With reference to revenue collection by cornwallis, consider the following statements: [2024-1]

1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case of bad harvests or natural calamities.

2. Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, if the Zamindar failed to pay his revenues to the state, on or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:
  • Statement 1 is wrong: Under the Ryotwari Settlement for revenue collection, peasants were obligated to pay revenue even in the event of poor harvests or natural disasters.
  • Statement 2 is correct: 'sunset clause introduced in 1794 stipulated that if the tax owed was not paid by a specific sunset deadline, the government would seize and auction off the zamindari, transferring its rights to the new owner. Hence, Option (b) is the correct answer.