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Modern History - 1

Description: Modern History – 2
Number of Questions: 25
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Tags: Modern History – 2 Modern India General Knowledge
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Who amongst the following Englishmen first translated Bhagavad Gita into English?

  1. William Jones

  2. Charles Wilkins

  3. Alexander Cunningham

  4. John Marshall


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Charles Wilkins was a member of Asiatic Society of Bengal founded by William Jones. He translated Bhagavad Gita into English in 1794.

Which of the following submitted a petition in 1875 to the House of Commons demanding India’s direct representation in the British Parliament?

  1. The Deccan Association

  2. The Indian Association

  3. The Madras Mahajan Sabha

  4. The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Indian Association of Calcutta was founded in 1876. Indian League was established in 1875 by young nationalists of Bengal led by S. N. Banerjee and Anand Mohan Bose.

With which one of the following mountain tribes did the British first come into contact, after the grant of Diwani in the year 1765?

  1. Garos

  2. Khasis

  3. Kukis

  4. Tipperahs


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In the later part of the 18th century, the British East India Company started establishing contact with the Garos, after acquiring the Diwani of Bengal from the Mughal emperor. The British won over all the semi-independent estates that bordered the Garo Hills. But the internal administration of the estates was not disturbed. They were given the responsibility of keeping the power of the Garos in check, as in the time of the Mughals. Hence, the enmity between the Garos and the zaminders grew stronger and the British had to finally intervene. Finally, this chaos ended when the Garo Hills were annexed in 1873.

In India, among the following locations, the Dutch established their earliest factory at:

  1. Surat

  2. Pulicat

  3. Cochin

  4. Cassimbazar


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Option 2 is correct as the Dutch established their first factory at Masulipatam (AP) in 1605 and their second factory was established at Pulicat in 1610.

Consider the following statements:

  1. Arya Samaj was founded in 1835.
  2. Lala Lajpat Rai opposed the appeal of Arya Samaj to the authority of Vedas in support of its social reform programme.
  3. Under Keshab Chandra Sen, the Brahmo Samaj campaigned for women’s education.
  4. Vinoba Bhave founded the Sarvodya Samaj to work among refugees.

Which of these statements are correct?

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 2 and 4

  4. 3 and 4


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Arya Samaj was founded in 1875 (not 1835) at Bombay by Dayananda Saraswati. Though Lala Lajpat Rai was a follower of Arya Samaj, but he never opposed it.

Which one of the following Acts of British India strengthened the Viceroy’s authority over his Executive Council by substituting portfolio or departmental system for corporate functioning?

  1. Indian Councils Act, 1861

  2. Government of India Act, 1858

  3. Indian Councils Act, 1892

  4. Indian Councils Act, 1909


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Indian Councils Act of 1861 transformed the Viceroy’s Executive Council into a miniature cabinet run on the portfolio system, and each of the five ordinary members was placed in charge of a distinct department of Calcutta's government.

With reference to the entry of European powers into India, which one of the following statements is not correct?

  1. The Portuguese captured Goa in 1499.

  2. The English opened their first factory in South India at Masulipatam.

  3. In Eastern India, the English Company opened its first factory in Orissa in 1633.

  4. Under the leadership of Dupleix, the French occupied Madras in 1746.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Portuguese captured Goa from rulers of Bijapur in 1510 and not in 1499.

During the colonial period in India, what was the purpose of the Whitley Commission?

  1. To review the fitness of India for further political reforms

  2. To report on existing conditions of labour and to make recommendations

  3. To draw up a plan for financial reforms for India

  4. To develop a comprehensive scheme for Civil Services in India


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Whitley chaired the Royal Commission on Labour in India, which reported in 1931.

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

  1. Au Mardan Khan introduced the system of revenue farming in Bengal.

  2. Maharaja Ranjit Singh set up modern foundries to manufacture cannons at Lahore.

  3. Sawai Jai Singh of Amber had Euclid’s Elements of Geometry’ translated into Sanskrit.

  4. Sultan Tipu of Mysore gave money for the construction of the idol of Goddess Sharda in the Shringeri temple.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Murshid Quli Khan introduced revenue farming in Bengal.

In India, the first bank of limited liability managed by Indians and founded in 1881 was

  1. Hindustan Commercial Bank

  2. Oudh Commercial Bank

  3. Punjab National Bank

  4. Punjab and Sind Bank


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The first entirely Indian joint stock bank was the Oudh Commercial Bank, established in 1881 in Faizabad. It collapsed in 1958. The next was the Punjab National Bank which was established in Lahore in 1895, it has survived to the present and is now one of the largest banks in India.

The aim of education as stated by the Wood's Despatch of 1854 was

  1. the creation of employment opportunities for native Indians

  2. the spread of western culture in India

  3. the promotion of literacy among the people using English medium of language

  4. the introduction of scientific research and rationalism in the traditional Indian education


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Wood's Despatch of 1854 is considered as the Magna Carta of English education in India. Option 3 is incorrect as it recommended English as the medium of instructions for higher studies and vernaculars at school level.

Which one of the following territories was not affected by the Revolt of 1857?

  1. Jhansi

  2. Chittor

  3. Jagdishpur

  4. Lucknow


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Chittor is the correct answer. Rani Laxmibai led the revolt from Jhansi; Begum Hazrat Mehal led from Lucknow and Kunwar Singh led from Jagdishpur.

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

  1. Pitt’s India Act : Warren Hastings

  2. Doctrine of Lapse : Daihousie

  3. Vernacular Press Act : Curzon

  4. llbert Bill : Ripon


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Vernacular Press Act was passed by Lord Lytton in 1878 and it was repealed by Lord Ripon in 1882.

Which one of the following provisions was not made in the Charter Act of 1833?

  1. The trading activities of the East India Company were to be abolished.

  2. The designation of the supreme authority was to be changed as the Governor-General of India in Council.

  3. All law-making powers were to be conferred on Governor-General in Council.

  4. An Indian was to be appointed as a Law Member in the Governor-General's Council.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Charter Act of 1833 provides for the appointment of a law member but not necessarily an Indian.

Which one of the following places did Kunwar Singh, a prominent leader of the Revolt of 1857, belong to?

  1. Bihar

  2. Madhya Pradesh

  3. Rajasthan

  4. Uttar Pradesh


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Kunwar Singh belonged to a royal Ujjaini house of Jagdispur, currently a part of Bhojpur district, Bihar state.

Who among the following repealed the Vernacular Press Act?

  1. Lord Dufferin

  2. Lord Ripon

  3. Lord Curzon

  4. Lord Hardinge


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Lord Lytton brought the Vernacular Press Act into force in 1878. It was repealed by Lord Ripon in 1882.

With reference to colonial rule in India, what was sought by the Ilbert Bill in 1883?

  1. To bring Indians and Europeans at par as far as the criminal jurisdiction of courts was concerned

  2. To impose severe restrictions on the freedom of the native press as it was perceived to be hostile to colonial rulers

  3. To encourage the native Indians to appear for civil service examinations by conducting them in India

  4. To allow native Indians to posses arms by amending the Arms Act


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Ilbert Bill was a bill introduced in 1883 for British India by Viceroy Ripon that proposed an amendment for existing laws in the country at the time to allow Indian judges and magistrates the jurisdiction to try British offenders in criminal cases at the District level, something that was disallowed at the time. 

Who among the following was a proponent of Fabianism as a movement?

  1. Annie Besant

  2. A. O. Hume

  3. Michael Madhusudan Dutt

  4. R. Palme Dutt


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

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 focussed on the advancement of socialist ideas through gradual influence and patiently insinuating socialist ideology into intellectual circles and groups with power. Annie Besant was a leading speaker for the Fabian Society and the Marxist Social Democratic Federation. 

Consider the following statements:

  1. In the Third Battle of Panipat, Ahmed Shah Abdali defeated Ibrahim Lodi.
  2. Tipu Sultan was killed in the Third Anglo-Mysore War.
  3. Mir Jafar entered in a conspiracy with the English for the defeat of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. 3 only

  3. 2 and 3

  4. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

In the First Battle of Panipat (1526), Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur. In the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), Ahmed Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas. Tipu Sultan was killed in the fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799).

Which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. The modern Kochi was a Dutch colony till India's independence.

  2. The Dutch defeated the Portuguese and built Fort Williams in the modern Kochi.

  3. The modem Kochi was first a Dutch colony before the Portuguese took over.

  4. The modern Kochi never became a part of a British colony.

  5. None of these


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

No statement is correct. Modern Kochi became a part of the British colony after being a Dutch colony. Kochi was first a Portuguese colony. Fort Williams was built in Calcutta (not in Kochi) by the English.

Match List - I (Acts of Colonial Government of India) with List - Il (Provisions) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists.

List - I
(Acts of Colonial Government of India) List - Il
(Provisions)
A. Charter Act, 1813 1. Charter Act, 1813 in Britain to fully regulate the East India
B. Regulating Act 2. Company’s trade monopoly in India was ended
C. Act of 1858 3. The power to govern was transferred from the East India Company to the British Crown
D. Pitt’s India Act 4. The Company’s directors were asked to present to the British government all correspondence and documents pertaining to the administration of the company
  1. A - 2; B - 4; C - 3; D - 1

  2. A - 1; B - 3; C - 4; D - 2

  3. A - 2; B - 3; C - 4; D - 1

  4. A - 1; B - 4; C - 3; D - 2


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Regulating Act was passed in 1773. Pitt's India Act was passed in 1784.

Consider the following statements:

  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?

  1. 1 only

  2. 1 and 2

  3. 2 and 3

  4. 1, 2 and 3


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

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.

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the battles fought in India in the 18th Century?

  1. Battle of Wandiwash - Battle of Buxar - Battle of Ambur - Battle of Plassey

  2. Battle of Ambur - Battle of Plassey - Battle of Wandiwash - Battle of Buxar

  3. Battle of Wandiwash - Battle of Plassey - Battle of Ambur - Battle of Buxar

  4. Battle of Ambur - Battle of Buxar - Battle of Wandiwash - Battle of Plassey


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Battle of Ambur-1749, Battle of Plassey-1757, Battle of Wandiwash-1760, Battle of Buxar-1764

Consider the following statements:

  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?

  1. 2 and 2

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 1 and 3

  4. 1, 2 and 3


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

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.

Consider the following statements:

  1. The Charter Act, 1853 abolished East India Company's 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 statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Charter Act, 1813 (not 1853) abolished East India Company's monopoly of Indian trade.

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