211133

PTS 2025 | Test Code : 211133 |
DO NOT OPEN THIS TEST BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

T.B.C. : FIAS-PTS25 Test Booklet Series
Serial No.
A
TEST BOOKLET
GENERAL STUDIES
Paper – 1
Maximum Marks: 100 Time Allowed: ONE HOUR
INSTRUCTIONS
1. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU
SHOULD CHECK THAT THIS TEST BBOOKLET DOES NOT HAVE
ANY UNPRINTED OR TORN OR MISSING PAGES OR ITEMS ETC. IF SO,
GET IT REPLACED BY A COMPLETE TEST BOOK.
2. Please note that it is the candidate’s responsibility to encode and fill in
the Roll Number and Test Booklet Series A, B, C or D carefully without
any omission or discrepancy at the appropriate places in the OMR
Answer Sheet. Any omission/discrepancy will render the Answer Sheet
liable for rejection.
3. You have to enter your Roll Number on the test
booklet in the Box provided alongside. DO NOT
write anything else on the Test Booklet.
4. This Test Booklet contains 50 items (questions). Each item is printed in
English. Each item comprises four responses (answers). You will select the
response which you want to mark on the Answer Sheet. In case you feel that
there is more than one correct response, mark the response which you
consider the best. In any case, choose ONLY ONE response for each item.
5. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet
provided.
See directions in the Answer Sheet.
6. All items carry equal marks.
7. Before you proceed to mark in the Answer Sheet the response to various items
in the Test Booklet, you have to fill in some particulars in the Answer Sheet as
per instructions sent to you with your Admission Certificate.
8. After you have completed filling in all your responses on the Answer Sheet and
the examination has concluded, you should hand over to the Invigilator only
the Answer Sheet. You are permitted to take away with you the Test Booklet.
9. Sheets for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.
10. Penalty for wrong answers:
THERE WILL BE PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS MARKED BY A
CANDIDATE IN THE OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTION PAPERS.
(i) There are four alternatives for the answer to every question. For each
question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-
third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.
(ii) If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as wrong
answer even if one of the given answers happens to be correct and there
will be same penalty as above to that question.
(iii) If a question is left bank i.e., no answer is given by the candidate, there
will be no penalty for that question.
DO NOT OPEN THIS TEST BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO
Forum Learning Centre: Delhi - 2nd Floor, IAPL House, 19 Pusa Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110005 | Patna - 2nd floor, AG Palace, E Boring Canal
Road, Patna, Bihar 800001 | Hyderabad - 1st & 2nd Floor, SM Plaza, RTC X Rd, Indira Park Road, Jawahar Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500020
9311740400, 9311740900 | https://academy.forumias.com | [email protected] | [email protected]
[1]
PTS 2025 | Test Code : 211133 |
Q.1) In the context of modern Indian History, Which one of the following is correct in
consider the following events: respect of the above statements?
1. Dutch East India Company established a a) Both Statement I and Statement II are
factory in Masulipatnam. correct, and Statement II is the correct
2. Portuguese Governer Afonso de explanation for Statement I.
Albuquerque captured Goa from Sultan of b) Both Statement I and Statement-II are
Bijapur correct, and Statement II is not the correct
3. British East India Company built Fort St. explanation for Statement I.
George in Madras c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is
4. French East India Company established a incorrect.
colony in Chandernagore, near Calcutta. d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is
Which one of the following is the correct correct.
chronological order of the above given events?
a) 2, 1, 3, 4 Q.5) Statement I: The British defeated the
b) 1, 2, 3, 4 French in the Third Carnatic War and emerged
c) 2, 1, 4, 3 as the dominant European power in India.
d) 4, 2, 1, 3 Statement II: After their victory in the Battle
of Plassey in 1757, British had continuous
Q.2) In the context of Indian history, Christian supply of food and money from Bengal.
Missionaries led by Jesuit priests Rodolfo Statement III: In the second half of the 18th
Aquaviva and Father Antonio Monserrate century, British naval superiority obstructed
visited the court of which Mughal emperor? the French in India from receiving supplies by
a) Akbar sea, forcing them to rely on overland routes
b) Jahangir for their resources.
c) Farrukhsiyar Which one of the following is correct in
d) Aurangzeb respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement II and Statements III are
Q.3) With reference to Modern Indian History, correct and both of them explain
consider the following pairs: Statement I.
European Significant contributions b) Both Statement II and Statement III are
Powers correct but only one of them explains
1. Portuguese Introduction of Tobacco Statement I.
cultivation c) Only one of the Statements II and III is
2. Dutch Introduction of printing correct and explains Statement I.
press d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is
3. French Introduction of Artillery of correct.
the stirrup
How many of the pairs given above are Q.6) With reference to external invasions
correct? during the Mughal rule in India, consider the
a) Only one following statements:
b) Only two 1. During the reign of Muhammad Shah, Nadir
c) All three Shah invaded Delhi and looted the
d) None Kohinoor Diamond from India.
2. Ahmad Shah Abdali’s repeated invasions of
Q.4) With reference to Modern Indian History, Delhi led to the Third Battle of Panipat.
consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are
Statement I: Pondicherry was a French correct?
territory at the time of Independence of the a) 1 only
India. b) 2 only
Statement II: French East India Company c) Both 1 and 2
established its first factory in India at d) Neither 1 nor 2
Pondicherry.
[2]
PTS 2025 | Test Code : 211133 |
Q.7) Arrange the following battles in the Q.10) Consider the following statements about
chronological order in 18th century India: the regional kingdoms in India during the 17th
1. Battle of Karnal and 18th century:
2. Third Battle of Panipat 1. Rohilakhand was established by Ali
3. Battle of Buxar Muhammad Khan in the area between
4. Battle of Plassey Kumaon in the north and the Ganga in the
Choose the correct option using the code south.
given below: 2. The Wodeyar Dynasty was established in
a) 1-2-4-3 Mysore in 1612, on the remnants of the
b) 1-4-2-3 Vijayanagar kingdom.
c) 2-1-3-4 Which of the statements given above is/are
d) 3-1-2-4 correct?
a) 1 only
Q.8) Consider the following information with b) 2 only
regards to famous social reformer in 19th c) Both 1 and 2
century India. d) Neither 1 nor 2
Social Famous Founder/F
Reformer Work/Journal ounding Q.11) Which of the following is incorrect about
member the cultural developments during the 18th
1. Ishwar Betal Bethune century India?
Chandra Panchavingsati College for a) The Bada Imambara in Lucknow was built
Vidyasagar Girls by Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784.
b) The city of Jaipur was founded by Sawai Jai
2. Keshab The Home and Sadharan Singh II in 1727.
Chandra Sen the World Brahma c) The Tamil language was enriched by sittar
Samaj poetry, with Tayumanavar being one of its
3. Raja Ram Gift to Calcutta best exponents.
Mohan Roy Monotheists Unitarian d) In Urdu literature, “Risalo”, a collection of
Committee poems, was composed by Mirza Ghalib.
In which of the above rows is the given
information correctly matched?
Q.12) With reference to the economic impact
a) 1 and 2
of the British rule in India, consider the
b) 2 and 3
following statements:
c) 1 and 3
Statement I: Critiques to the colonial
d) 1, 2 and 3
economy, including the early nationalists
opposed the investment of foreign capital
Q.9) In context of Modern Indian history,
from Britain in India.
consider the following statements with
Statement II: The foreign capital invested in
regards to ‘Queen’s Proclamation’ issued after
India during the colonial rule in India
the Revolt of 1857:
suppressed the growth of indigenous capital
1. It promised to respect the dignity and
by dominating key sectors of the economy.
rights of the native princes.
2. It assured to all Indians equal opportunities Which one of the following is correct in
in government services irrespective of race respect of the above statement?
or creed. a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are
3. Old Indian rights, customs and practices correct and Statement-II explains
was promised to be given due regard by the Statement-I
British, while framing and administering b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are
the law. correct, but Statement-II does not explain
How many of the following statements given Statement-I
above are correct? c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is
a) One only incorrect
b) Two only d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II
c) All three is correct
d) None
[3]
PTS 2025 | Test Code : 211133 |
Q.13) Which among the following is correct Q.16) Which of the following was the
regarding Dastak (passes) issued by the East immediate cause of Vellore Mutiny of 1806?
India Company in 18th Century India? a) The denial to due share of the crops to the
a) It allowed the Company to bypass all forms peasants by Britishers.
of taxation in Bengal. b) The changes in dress code of sepoys
b) It allowed English private traders to trade ordered by British authorities.
without paying custom duty in Bengal. c) The extortionist land revenue policy by
c) It granted the Company exclusive rights to Britishers.
trade with other European countries. d) The large-scale annexation of territories by
d) It allowed the Company to mint their own Britishers.
coins in Bengal.
Q.17) Consider the following information:
Q.14) The Treaty of Allahabad (1765) was a War Treaty Provision of treaty
significant event in the consolidation of British 1. First Treaty of Britishers promised
power in India. In this context, consider the Anglo- Madras to support Mysore
following statements about the treaty: Mysore War in case of any
1. Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula of Awadh was (1767-69) external attack on
required to cede the territories of it.
Allahabad and Kara to the Mughal Emperor, 2. Second Treaty of Peaceful resolution
Shah Alam II. Anglo- Mangalore and mandating the
2. The East India Company obtained Diwani Mysore War mutual return of all
rights over the provinces of Bengal, Bihar, (1780–84) conquered
and Odisha, enabling them to collect territories
revenue in these regions. 3. Third Treaty of It mandated Tipu
3. Shah Alam II agreed to reside in Allahabad Anglo- Seringapat Sultan to relinquish
under the protection of the British East Mysore War am half of his kingdom
India Company. (1790-1792) to the British.
How many of the statements given above are In how many of the above rows is the given
correct? information correctly matched?
a) Only one a) Only one
b) Only two b) Only two
c) All three c) All three
d) None d) None
Q.15) The Battle of Buxar (1764) was a decisive Q.18) Consider the following statements about
victory for the British East India Company that the Treaty of Salbai (1782):
significantly impacted the course of Indian 1. The Treaty of Salbai ended the First Anglo-
history. In this context, which of the following Maratha War.
were the consequences of the battle of Buxar? 2. The treaty allowed the English to retain
1. Trade in salt within Bengal was made duty control over Salsette.
free. 3. The treaty imposed an obligation on the
2. Establishment of the Dual Government Marathas to ally with the British against
system in Bengal. any other European powers.
3. Complete annexation of Awadh by the Which of the statements given above are
British. correct?
Select the correct answer using the codes a) 1 and 2 only
given below: b) 2 and 3 only
a) 1 and 2 only c) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2, and 3
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) 2 only
[4]
PTS 2025 | Test Code : 211133 |
Q.19) Consider the following statements: autonomous domains of power and culture of
Statement-I: The Treaty of Eternal Friendship the natives of 19th Century India?
was signed between the British and the Amirs a) Only one
of Sindh in 1809. b) Only two
Statement-II: The British Government in India c) Only three
needed a defensive barrier against potential d) All four
French and Russian invasions of India.
Which one of the following is correct in Q.23) Which of the following statements about
respect of the above statements? the Wahabi Movement in India is incorrect?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are a) In India, it was founded by Syed Ahmed of
correct and Statement-II explains Rai Bareilly.
Statement-I b) It played an important role in spreading
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are anti-British sentiments among the people
correct but Statement-II does not explain of India.
Statement-I c) It was reform movement which advocated
c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is for incorporation of western thoughts and
incorrect culture in Islamic religious practices.
d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II d) The movement’s base for operations was
is correct set up in Sithana in the north-western
tribal belt of India.
Q.20) Who was the Governor-General of India
during the Revolt of 1857? Q.24) In context of Modern Indian History,
a) Lord Canning which one of the following peasant
b) Lord Ellenborough uprisings/revolts often considered as the first
c) Lord Henery Hardinge armed peasant uprising against the British
d) Lord Auckland which latter merged into the Wahabi
Movement?
Q.21) With reference to First Anglo-Afghan a) The Pagal Panthis Revolt
War, consider the following statements: b) The Narkelberia Uprising
1. British objective to establish a friendly c) The Chuar Uprising
government in Afghanistan under Shah d) The Moplah Uprising
Shuja ul-Mulk lead to the First Anglo-
Afghan War. Q.25) With reference to treaties signed during
2. Lord Ellenborough was the Governor the course of different Carnatic wars, consider
General of India, during first Anglo-Afghan the following pairs:
war. Treaties Implications
Which of the statements given above is/are 1. Treaty of Aix- Madras was surrendered
correct? La Chapelle, back to the English by the
a) 1 only 1748. French.
b) 2 only 2. Treaty of The French were barred
c) Both 1 and 2 Pondicherry, from having troops in
d) Neither 1 nor 2 1754. Pondicherry.
3. Treaty of The British emerged as
Q.22) With reference to British Indian History, Peace of Paris, the paramount European
consider the following movements: 1763. power in India
1. Poligars’ Revolt (1799-1846) How many of the pairs given above are
2. Kutch or Cutch Rebellion (1816-1832) correctly matched?
3. Ahom Revolt (1828) a) Only one
4. Surat Salt Agitations (1840s) b) Only two
How many of the above movements occurred c) All three
as resistance to British encroachment on d) None
[5]
PTS 2025 | Test Code : 211133 |
Q.26) With reference to Marathas, consider Q.30) With reference to the history of modern
the following: India, consider the following statements about
1. Absence of Naval power. Ranjit Singh:
2. Lack of development of Science & 1. He was the first to transform the Sikhs into
Technology. a militant sect in defence of their religion
3. Lack of cooperation among Marathas. and liberties.
4. Withdrawal of Agricultural tax by Marathas. 2. He denied help of Europeans in
How many of the factors above can be modernising his army.
attributed to the failure of Marathas in 3. He gained control of the territories south
establishing an all-India empire?
of Sutlej River from the British by signing
a) Only one
the Treaty of Amritsar.
b) Only two
How many of the statements given above are
c) Only three
correct?
d) All four
a) Only one
b) Only two
Q.27) Consider the following events:
c) All three
1. Passing of Lex Loci Act, 1856.
2. Passing of the General Service Enlistment d) None
Act,1856
3. Denial of the foreign service allowance Q.31) Which among the following can be
(bhatta) to the sepoys while serving in considered as the consequences of the Revolt
Sindh or Punjab. of 1857 on the British Indian army?
How many of the above were among the major 1. The proportion of Indians in the army was
causes that contributed to the outbreak of the reduced to maintain an equal number of
1857 revolt in India? Indians and Englishmen in a battalion.
a) Only one 2. The British adopted a divide and rule policy
b) Only two in the Indian army, creating separate units
c) All three by caste, community, and region to
d) None counterpoise each other.
Select the correct answer using the code given
Q.28) Consider the following pairs regarding below:
the leaders and centres of the 1857 revolt: a) 1 only
Leaders Centers b) 2 only
1. Nana Saheb Kanpur c) Both 1 and 2
2. Kunwar Singh Bareilly
d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. Maulvi Ahmadullah Faizabad
How many of the pairs given above are
Q.32) With reference to the steps taken to
correctly matched?
a) Only one improve the condition of Women during
b) Only two British Rule in India, consider the following
c) All three events:
d) None 1. Enactment of the Female Infanticide
Prevention Act
Q.29) " He joined the Brahmo Samaj in the year 2. Passage of the Native Marriage Act
1842. He gave a new life to Brahmo Samaj and a 3. Abolition of Sati in Bengal
definite shape to the theist movement. He has 4. Enactment of the Hindu Widows’
also served as the head of the Tattvabodhini Remarriage Act
Sabha which was founded in 1839." What is the correct chronological order of the
Who among the following has been described occurrence of above events, starting from the
in the above paragraph? earliest time?
a) Keshab Chandra Sen a) 3-1-4-2
b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy b) 3-4-1-2
c) Debendranath Tagore c) 4-3-2-1
d) Rabindranath Tagore d) 2-1-4-3
[6]
PTS 2025 | Test Code : 211133 |
Q.33) Which among the following statements Q.36) Which of the following is/are the
correctly reflects the ideology of Dayananda contributions made by D.K. Karve in social
Saraswati? reform movements?
1. He believed in the infallibility of the Vedas 1. He served as the secretary of the Widow
but criticized later Hindu scriptures such Remarriage Association.
as the Puranas. 2. He opened a widows’ home in Poona.
2. He called for abolition of Chaturvarna 3. He himself married a widow in 1893
System as it created caste rigidities. Select the correct answer using the codes
3. He criticised the belief in maya (illusion) as given below:
the running theme of all physical existence. a) 1 and 2 only
4. He supported the practice of idolatry and b) 2 and 3 only
polytheism as central to Hinduism. c) 1 and 3 only
Select the correct answer using the code given d) 1, 2 and 3
below:
a) 1 and 3 only Q.37) Consider the following statements
b) 2 and 3 only regarding the Indian Factory Act of 1881:
c) 3 and 4 only 1. It increased the minimum age of children
d) 1 and 4 only working in factories from 7 to 9 years.
2. It made provision for hazardous machinery
Q.34) Which one of the following statements is to be properly fenced off.
incorrect regarding the Theosophical Which of the statements given above is/are
Movement? correct?
a) It was founded by Madame H.P. Blavatsky a) 1 only
and Colonel M.S. Olcott in the United b) 2 only
States of America. c) Both 1 and 2
b) The headquarter of the society was shifted d) Neither 1 nor 2
at Madurai in India by Annie Besant.
c) It supported the Hindu beliefs in Q.38) Consider the following statements
reincarnation and karma. regarding the commercialisation of Indian
d) It helped in imparting self-respect to the agriculture in the latter half of the nineteenth
Indians in their fight against the British century:
colonial rule. 1. It led to decline in food grain production
and frequent famine.
Q.35) Consider the following statement: 2. It made Indian agriculture vulnerable to
“If I discover that Hindu shastras really global price fluctuations.
countenance untouchability as it is seen today, 3. It led to regional specialization of crop
I will renounce and denounce Hinduism.” production based on climatic conditions.
This statement reflects the deep concern for Which of the statements given above are
social reform and the fight against correct?
untouchability. The above statement is a) 1 and 2 only
attributed to which of the following b) 2 and 3 only
personalities? c) 1 and 3 only
a) Raja Ram Mohan Roy d) 1, 2, and 3
b) Rabindranath Tagore
c) Mahatma Gandhi
d) Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar
[7]
PTS 2025 | Test Code : 211133 |
Q.39) Consider the following pairs related to How many of the above statements are
the Nationalist Critique of Colonial Economy correct?
th th
during late 19 and early 20 century: a) Only one
Economic Critique Associated Work b) Only two
1. Justice Mahadeo Some Economic c) All three
Govind Ranade Aspects of British Rule d) None
in India
2. Romesh Chandra The Economic History Q.42) With reference to the Dual System of
Dutt of India Government in Bengal in later half of 18th
3. William Digby Prosperous British century, consider the following statements:
India 1. It was the result of the Treaty of Allahabad
4. Dadabhai Naoroji Poverty and Un-British of 1765.
Rule in India 2. The system was introduced by Warren
How many of the pairs given above are Hastings.
correctly matched? Which of the statements given above is/are
a) Only one correct?
b) Only two a) 1 only
c) Only three b) 2 only
d) All four c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q.40) Which of the following Europeans visited
the court of Mughal ruler Jahangir, to seek his Q.43) In the context of Socio-Religious Reform
permission to establish a factory in the Mughal Movements in India, it is considered that
territory in India? Derozians had a limited success. Which among
1. Captain William Hawkins the following is not a reason associated for
2. Sir Thomas Roe limited success of Derozians?
3. Francois Bernier a) They lacked any real link with the masses.
4. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier b) The failure to take up the peasants causes.
Select the correct answer using the code given c) The unsupportive prevailing social
below: conditions for radical reforms.
a) 1 and 2 only d) Their vocal support to women’s education.
b) 1, 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only Q.44) With reference to education in British
d) 2, 3 and 4 only India, consider the following statements:
1. Raja Rammohan Roy with David Hare
Q.41) With reference to the Modern Indian founded the Hindu College in Calcutta.
history, consider the following statements: 2. The Sanskrit College was opened in
1. Jotedars were the sharecroppers who used Calcutta by Radhakanta Deb to impart
to lease the land of large peasants for education to students belonging to the
cultivation. non-Brahmin community.
2. Gomasthas were the large landowners who 3. Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar was the first
cultivated their agricultural lands by hiring Secretary of Bethune School.
labours. How many of the above statements are
3. Bargadars were the rural officials correct?
responsible for the collection of revenue a) Only one
from peasants. b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
[8]
PTS 2025 | Test Code : 211133 |
Q.45) With reference to Joseph Francis Q.48) Which of the following statements is
Dupleix, consider the following statements: correct regarding the “misls” among the
1. His administrative reforms included Sikhs?
reduced public expenditure coupled with a a) They are groups of officers formed by
cut on the salaries of officers. Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
2. He did not interfere in the internal politics b) They are democratic in nature and all
of the Indian rulers. members were having an equal voice.
3. He led an army successfully in the c) They are formed to protect Punjab from
battlefield to capture Trichnopoly. the invasion of Nadir Shah.
Which of the statements given above is/are d) Unity of Khalsa weakened due to powerful
correct? nature of misls.
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only Q.49) In the context of Indian history, the term
c) 1, 2 and 3 “Chatuspathis or Tols” refers to:
d) 1 and 3 only a) Centres of higher education in Bihar and
Bengal in the 18th century
Q.46) Consider the following information: b) Agricultural loans given to poor farmers
He secured the island of Bassein from the c) A religious tax imposed on the Hindu
Bahadur Shah of Gujarat by helping him in his community by Alauddin Khilji
conflict with Humayun. He tried to increase d) Traditional methods of iron casting
Portuguese influence in Bengal by setting
Hooghly as the headquarters for Portuguese Q.50) With reference to the Ahom Revolt,
nationals. He shifted the headquarters of the consider the following statements:
Portuguese government from Cochin to Goa. 1. It occurred along the North-West frontier
The above paragraph best describes which one province.
of the following Portuguese governors? 2. The main reason for this revolt was
a) Francisco De Almeida annexation of their land by the local
b) Pedro Alvarez Cabral landlords.
c) Alfonso de Albuquerque 3. The revolt occurred after the first Anglo
d) Nino da Cunha Burmese war.
4. The rebellion was led by Gomdhar Konwar
Q.47) Consider the following statements and Dhanjoy Borgohain.
regarding the revolt in Lucknow during the How many of the above statements are
1857 uprising: correct?
1. The revolt of 1857 in Lucknow was led by a) Only one
Begum Hazrat Mahal. b) Only two
2. Henry Lawrence, the British resident in c) Only three
Lucknow, was killed during the siege of the d) All four
Residency.
3. The Gurkha regiment was used by the
British to overcome the resistance in
Lucknow
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
[9]
PTS 2025 | Solution | Test Code : 211133 |
Q.1)
Ans) a
Exp) Option a is the correct answer.
Disruptions in trade routes and a shifting political landscape in the Middle East pushed European traders
to explore new routes to India. After numerous attempts, they first reached the Indian coast towards the
end of the fifteenth century. The arrival of Europeans—such as the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and
British—and the subsequent establishment of the British Empire marked the beginning of Modern History
in India.
Option 1: The Dutch East India Company was formed in 1602 through a charter. The Dutch
were primarily interested in spice trade. Dutch established a factory at Masulipatnam around 1606.
Option 2: The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in India, with Vasco da Gama's expedition
reaching Calicut in May 1498 after navigating around the Cape of Good Hope. Later, under the
governorship of Afonso de Albuquerque (1509-1515), the Portuguese expanded their influence by
capturing Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1510.
Option 3: British East India Company built Fort St. George in Madras around1640s to protect their
trading interests. The fort was completed on 23 April 1644, on St George’s Day, and hence named as St
George Fort.
Option 4: The French East India Company was founded in 1664 when French king Louis XIV granted a
50-year monopoly on French trade in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The first French factory was
established at Surat in 1668. Towards end of 17th century, around 1680s, they built the colony or township
of Chandernagore, near Calcutta
Hence option a is correct: The correct chronological order of the given event is 2-1-3-4: Portuguese
captured Goa from Sultan of Bijapur (1510)- Dutch East India Company established their first factory in
Masulipatnam (1606)- British East India Company built Fort St. George in Madras (1640s)- French East
India Company established a colony in Chandernagore (1670s)
Source:) https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/22022/1/Unit-13.pdf
A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir -- Advent of Europeans.
https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/20251/1/Unit-25.pdf
https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/fort-st-george
Subject:) Modern History
Topic) Advent of Europeans.
Subtopic:)
Q.2)
Ans) a
In September 1579, Mughal Emperor Akbar (1556–1605) sent a letter to the authorities in Goa requesting
two learned priests. The Church authorities in Goa eagerly responded to the invitation, seeing it as an
opportunity to convert the emperor, his court, and the people to Christianity.
Option a is correct: Father Antonio de Monserrate, a Jesuit missionary along with Father Rudolf
Aquaviva, who led the mission, and their Persian interpreter, Francisco Henrique, joined the initial Jesuit
mission to Akbar’s court in 1580 and they returned Goa in 1583.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir -- Advent of Europeans.
https://www.loc.gov/item/24001005/
Subtopic:)
[1]
Q.3)
Ans) a
Pair 1 is correct: Tobacco cultivation in India was introduced by Portuguese in 1605. Initially tobacco
was grown in Kaira and Mehsana districts of Gujarat and later spread to other areas of the country.
Pair 2 is incorrect: Printing technology was introduced to India by the Portuguese (not by Dutch) in
1556, brought by Jesuit priests. The first book printed in the country was "Doctrina Christa" by St. Francis
Xavier, published in Old Goa in Portuguese. This marked the beginning of the printing revolution in India
under British influence.
Pair 3 is incorrect: Babur(1526-1530), the founder of the Mughal Empire in India introduced a kind of
modern weapon known as artillery of stirup or light artillery to the Indian subcontinent during his
military campaigns. He used artillery effectively in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 against the Sultan of
Delhi, Ibrahim Lodi.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir - Advent of Europeans.
https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/military_history_375/Book-1/Chapter-6.pdf
https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/srsec335new/ch5.pdf
https://indianculture.gov.in/video/agony-indigo-
cultivators#:~:text=Description:%20The%20video%20is%20a%20presentation%20on,British%20introduc
ed%20widespread%20indigo%20cultivation%20in%20large
https://ctri.icar.gov.in/for_origin.php#:~:text=Tobacco%20cultivation%20in%20India%20was,other%2
0areas%20of%20the%20country.
Subtopic:)
Q.4)
Ans) c
Exp) Option c is the correct answer.
Statement I is correct: In17th Century India the prospering trade of Puducherry attracted the French, and
the predominant feature of the town was laid by the French pioneer Francois Martin in the form of a
French settlement in 1674 A.D. In 1693, Puducherry was captured by the Dutch but restored in 1699 A.D.
subsequently with the Treaty of Ryswick. The British captured the city from the French but returned it
following the Treaty of Paris in 1763. This Anglo- French war continued until 1814 A.D., when finally,
France had the control over the settlements of Puducherry, Mahe, Yanam, Karaikal and Chandernagore
even during the British period until 1954. It was a reign of one hundred and thirty-eight years under
French and finally on 31st October 1954, they left the Indian shores following De Facto transfer of
power.
Statement II is incorrect: The French East India Company was founded in 1664. The first French
factory in India was established at Surat in 1668. In 1673, they established their factory at Pondicherry
with the support of local ruler Gingee. In 1674 Francois Martin, the first Governor, started to build
Puducherry and transformed it from a small fishing village into a flourishing port-town.
Hence Option c is correct: Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.
Source:) https://puducherry-
dt.gov.in/history/#:~:text=In%201674%20the%20Governor%20of,share%20of%20trade%20with%20Indi
a. A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir -- Advent of Europeans and Consolidation of British Power
in India
https://py.gov.in/history
[2]
Subtopic:)
Q.5)
Ans) a
Although the British and the French initially came to India for trade, they eventually became entangled in
Indian politics. The Anglo-French rivalry in India reflected the longstanding enmity between England and
France. In India, this rivalry was marked by the three Carnatic Wars, which ultimately determined that
the English, rather than the French, would emerge as the dominant power in India.
Statement I is correct: The Third Carnatic War (1758-1763), part of the broader Seven Years' War in
Europe, was fought between the British and the French. Although the Treaty of Peace of Paris (1763)
restored to the French their factories in India, the French political influence disappeared after the war.
Thus, the Third Carnatic War proved decisive as the English became the supreme European power in
the Indian subcontinent, since the Dutch had already been defeated in the Battle of Bidara in 1759.
Statement II is correct: The Battle of Plassey in 1757 was a pivotal event that established British
dominance in India. It granted the English control over the vast resources of Bengal, allowing them to
effectively monopolize trade and commerce in the region. It also provided crucial access to food and
money, which strengthened military power during the Carnatic Wars.
Statement III is correct: The French faced a significant disadvantage in the Third Carnatic War due to
their inability to receive supplies efficiently. While the English secured food and money from Bengal,
recruited men from Europe, and obtained grain from their northern settlements, the French could
only acquire supplies through laborious overland routes. This logistical disadvantage allowed British
commander Sir Eyre Coote to establish military superiority over French forces led by Lally and
contributing to the French loss in the conflict.
Thus, the supply of resources from Bengal, secured through their victory in the Battle of Plassey, was
pivotal to the British triumph in the Third Carnatic War. This logistical advantage allowed them to sustain
and reinforce their forces, ultimately leading to their success in the conflict. Hence Option a is correct-
Both Statement II and Statements III are correct and both of them explain Statement I.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir -- Advent of Europeans.
Subtopic:)
Q.6)
Ans) a
The north-western borders had been neglected by the Later Mughals, which resulted in several invasions
from there, to which the Mughals could not put up even a decent fight.
Statement 1 is correct. The Persian emperor, Nadir Shah, attacked India in 1738-39 and defeated the
Mughal army at Karnal. Delhi was devastated and the Peacock Throne and the Kohinoor Diamond were
also looted.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India several times between 1748 to 1767. In 1757, he
captured Delhi and appointed the Rohilla chief Najib-ud-Daula as the ‘Mir Bakshi’ of the territory of Delhi,
annexed by Abdali. The Mughals wanted to get rid of Najib-ud-Daula. In 1758, the Marathas under the
leadership of Raghunath Rao were invited by the Mughals, to remove Najib-ud-Daula as Mir Bakshi.
[3]
Removal of Najib-ud-daula forced Abdali to return to India to take revenge which led to the Third
Battle of Panipat.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- India on the eve of British Conquest.
Topic) India on the Eve of British Conquest.
Subtopic:)
Q.7)
Ans) b
Exp) Option b is the correct answer.
Various battles took place during the Later Mughals, until the British conquest of India.
The correct chronological order is: 1-Battle of Karnal (1739); 4-Battle of Plassey (1757); 2-Third Battle of
Panipat (1761); 3-Battle of Buxar (1764).
Option 1: The Battle of Karnal was fought in 1739, where Nadir Shah, the Persian emperor, defeated the
Mughals. This paved the way for the loot of Delhi by the Persian invader.
Option 2: The Third Battle of Panipat was fought in 1761, between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali.
Abdali defeated the Marathas, as revenge for expelling the ‘Mir Bakshi’ that he had appointed to oversee
his interests in Delhi and for the capture of Punjab.
Option 3: Battle of Buxar was fought in 1764, between the British East India Company and the combined
armies of Bengal (Mir Qasim), Awadh (Shuja-ud-Daula) and the Mughals (Shah Alam II). The Indian rulers
were defeated and were forced to sign the treaty, granting the East India Company Diwani rights, which
allowed them to collect revenue from the territories of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa on behalf of the Mughal
emperor.
Option 4: Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757 between the British East India Company under Robert
Clive and the Nawab of Bengal-Sirah-ud-Daula-along with his French allies. Siraj-ud-Daula was defeated
and removed as the Nawab of Bengal. He was replaced with Mir Jafar.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- India on the Eve of British Conquest .
Subtopic:)
Q.8)
Ans) c
Row 1 is correct: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was an Indian educator and social reformer of the
nineteenth century. His first literary publication, ‘Betal Panchavingsati‘ was followed by various other
books, mostly Bengali translations of renowned Sanskrit texts like ‘Shakuntala’, ‘Sitar Vanvas’, etc. He also
collaborated with Drinkwater Bethune in founding the Bethune College for Girls.
Row 2 is incorrect: Keshab Chandra Sen was a 19th-century religious and social reformer. He was an
important figure in the Brahmo Samaj. Initially, ideological differences within the Brahma Samaj led to
the formation of the Brahma Samaj of India in 1866, under the leadership of Keshab Chandra Sen.
However, Keshab Chandra Sen's decision to arrange a marriage for his daughter with the Prince of Cooch
Behar, both of whom were underage, led to formation of a third samaj by his followers called the
Sadharan Brahma Samaj on May 15, 1878, at the Town Hall in Calcutta (Kolkata).
"The Home and the World" is a 1916 novel by Rabindranath Tagore (not Keshab Chandra Sen) which
illustrates the battle Tagore had with himself, between the ideas of Western culture and revolution
against Western culture.
[4]
Sadharan Brahma Samaj was founded by Ananda Mohan Bose, Umesh Chandra Dutta and Sivnath Sastri.
Row 3 is correct: Raja Ram Mohan Roy was an outstanding social reformer in India who supported
monotheism and provided evidence for it in the old Hindu texts. He wrote "Gift to Monotheists" in 1809.
The Calcutta Unitarian Committee was founded in 1821 by Raja Rammohun Roy and a Scottish Baptist
missionary William Adam, to promote the principles of Unitarianism and bring about social and religious
reforms in Bengal.
Source:) A Brief history of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- Socio Religious Reform Movements
https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?3589
https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?25449
Topic) Socio Religious Reform Movements.
Subtopic:)
Q.9)
Ans) c
Even before the Revolt could be suppressed fully, the British Parliament, on August 2, 1858, passed an Act
for the Better Government of India. The Act declared Queen Victoria as the sovereign of British India. The
assumption of the Government of India by the sovereign of Great Britain was announced by Lord Canning
at a durbar at Allahabad in the ‘Queen’s Proclamation’ issued on November 1, 1858. Many of the promises
made in that proclamation appeared to be of a positive nature to the Indians.
Statement 1 is correct: As per the Queen’s proclamation, the era of annexations and expansion was to be
ended, and the British promised to respect the dignity and rights of the native princes.
Statement 2 is correct: The proclamation promised equal and impartial protection under law to all
Indians, besides equal opportunities in government services irrespective of race or creed.
Statement 3 is correct: The Queen’s proclamation also promised that old Indian rights, customs and
practices would be given due regard while framing and administering the law.
Source:) A Brief history of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- The Revolt of 1857
Topic) The Revolt of 1857.
Subtopic:)
Q.10)
Ans) a
Many regional kingdoms came up in India during the 17th and 18th century.
Statement 1 is correct. Rohilakhand was established by Ali Muhammad Khan in the area between Kumaon
in the north and the Ganga in the south. This was done during the collapse of authority in north India,
due to the invasion of Nadir Shah.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Wodeyars were ruling Mysore since 1399 and were a part of the Vijaynagar
empire. After the Battle of Talikota (1565) administered a deadly blow to the Vijayanagar kingdom, the
Wodeyars became independent and began extending their frontiers. In 1761, it came under the de facto
rule of Haider Ali, after whom came his son Tipu Sultan.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- India on the Eve of British Conquest.
https://mysorepalace.karnataka.gov.in/Wadiyar_Dynasty.html
Topic) India on the Eve of British Conquest. Subtopic:)
[5]
Q.11)
Ans) d
Exp) Option d is the correct answer.
Option a is correct. The Bada Imambara, was constructed by Asaf-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh, in
1784. It was built as a relief measure to provide employment during a famine. The monument has the
world's largest arched construction without the use of beams or pillars. The Bada Imambara is famous
for its grand entrance gate, known as the Rumi Darwaza or Turkish Gate.
Option b is correct. Sawai Jai Singh II, the Maharaja of Jaipur, founded the city of Jaipur in 1727 and built
five astronomical observatories in different cities, including Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura, and Benares.
These observatories were used for various astronomical calculations and observations. He also prepared a
set of tables called Jij Muhammad-shahi, to help the people in the study of astronomy.
Option c is correct. The Tamil language did see significant contributions in the form of devotional and
philosophical poetry during this period. Tayumanavar (1706-44) was indeed a renowned Tamil poet and
philosopher, known for his sittar (siddhar) poetry, which expressed spiritual and philosophical ideas in
simple language.
Option d is incorrect. "Risalo" is not associated with Mirza Ghalib. The Risalo is a famous collection of
poetry written in Sindhi by Shah Abdul Latif. Mirza Ghalib, a prominent Urdu and Persian poet of the
19th century, is known for his ghazals and other forms of Urdu poetry.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- India on the Eve of British Conquest
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/what-makes-bara-imambara-a-must-visit-
attraction-in-lucknow/articleshow/103890972.cms
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/columnists/050516/raja-jai-singh-and-his-zij.html
Subtopic:)
Q.12)
Ans) a
Exp) option a is the correct answer.
Statement I is correct: Critics of the colonial economy, including early nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji,
G.V. Joshi, and Romesh Chandra Dutt, vehemently opposed the investment of foreign capital from Britain
in India. They believed it led to economic exploitation, drained India's wealth, and hindered the
development of indigenous industries and capital.
Statement II is correct and correctly explains statement I: The foreign capital invested in India during
British rule primarily served British interests by dominating key sectors like industry and finance.
This dominance hindered the growth of local Indian industries, as the profits generated from these
investments were largely sent back to Britain rather than being reinvested in India. Nationalists like
Dadabhai Naoroji argued that this led to an economic drain, where India's wealth was systematically
extracted, preventing the country from developing its own economic resources and industries thus
leading to suppression of India's potential for economic self-reliance and development.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir - Economic Impact of British Rule in India.
India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra- An Economic Critique of Colonialism.
Topic) Economic Impact of British Rule in India.
Subtopic)
[6]
Q.13)
Ans) b
The Dastak's were trade permits issued by the British East India Company. The Mughal Emperor
Farrukhsiyar granted the East India Company right to duti free trade using Dastak, through a Farman
(royal edicts) in 1717. These dastaks granted the Company the privilege of carrying on trade within
Bengal without paying customs or transit duties on their goods. The significance of these dastak’s was
immense as they allowed the British to conduct their trade without paying the custom duty that were
levied on other traders, giving them a competitive edge over Indian merchants and other European
traders. Later the Company issued “Dastak” to English private traders to trade customs-free in Bengal.
This led to excess revenue loss for the Nawab of Bengal.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir- Advent of the Europeans in India.
Topic) Advent of Europeans and Consolidation of British Power in India.
Subtopic:)
Q.14)
Ans) c
The Treaty of Allahabad, signed in 1765, was a landmark agreement that played a crucial role in the
establishment of British rule in India. The treaty was a result of the decisive Battle of Buxar (1764), where
the British East India Company defeated the combined forces of Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II, Nawab
Shuja-ud-Daula of Awadh, and Nawab Mir Qasim of Bengal.
Statement 1 is correct. As part of the Treaty of Allahabad, Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula of Awadh was
required to cede the territories of Allahabad and Kara to the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. This was a
strategic move by the British East India Company to restore the Mughal Emperor’s nominal power while
simultaneously ensuring these territories were under British influence.
Statement 2 is correct. The East India Company was granted the Diwani rights (the right to collect
revenue) over the provinces of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. This allowed the Company to control the
financial resources of these rich provinces, marking the beginning of British economic dominance in
India.
Statement 3 is correct. Shah Alam II agreed to reside in Allahabad, which was under the control of the
British East India Company. The British provided him a pension and protection, effectively making him a
puppet of the Company, which consolidated their control over the Mughal Emperor.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- Expansion and Consolidation of British
Power in India
Topic) Expansion and Consolidation of British Power in India.
Subtopic:)
Q.15)
Ans) d
The Battle of Buxar, fought in1764, was a crucial event in Indian history that marked a significant turning
point in the establishment of British rule in India. The battle was fought between the forces of the British
[7]
East India Company and a coalition of Indian powers that included the Nawab of Bengal, Mir Qasim, the
Nawab of Awadh, Shuja-ud-Daula, and the Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II.
Statement 1 is incorrect. After the Battle of Buxar the English were permitted duty-free trade in Bengal,
except for a duty of two per cent on salt.
Statement 2 is correct. Following the Battle of Buxar and the Treaty of Allahabad, the Robert Clive
introduced the dual system of government, i.e., the rule of the two—the Company and the Nawab—in
Bengal in which both the diwani, i.e., collecting revenues, and nizamat, i.e., police and judicial functions,
came under the control of the Company. The Company exercised diwani rights as the diwan and the
nizamat rights through its right to nominate the deputy subahdar. This system allowed the British to
exercise power without bearing the costs of administration directly.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Battle of Buxar did not lead to the complete annexation of Awadh. Instead,
under the Treaty of Allahabad, Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula of Awadh was reinstated as the ruler, but he had to
cede parts of his territory, including Allahabad and Kara, to the Mughal Emperor and pay a large
indemnity to the British. Awadh remained an independent state under British influence rather than
being fully annexed.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum - Expansion and Consolidation of British
Power in India
Subtopic:)
Q.16)
Ans) b
Vellore Mutiny is also known as Indian Mutiny took place in the year 1806. This incident is considered
the first revolt against the British. The immediate cause of this mutiny by the native Indians was due to a
change in dress code ordered by the British, in which the Muslims were ordered to shave their beards
and trim the Mustaches and the Hindus were prohibited from wearing a tilak on their forehead. General
Sir John Craddock who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army ordered the sepoys to wear a
round hat that resembled the one used by the Europeans and gave the impression as if the Indians had
converted to Christianity. All these issues triggered the sentiments of Muslims and the Hindus, and the
sepoys of the Indian natives were ill-treated and punished. In this revolt, the mutineers seized Vellore
fort and killed or wounded more than 150 British troops.
Source:) https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/military_history_375/Book-1/Chapter-11.pdf
Topic) Rising resentment against company rule.
Subtopic:)
Q.17)
Ans) c
The Anglo-Mysore Wars were a series of four conflicts fought between the British East India Company
and the Kingdom of Mysore in the late 18th century. These wars were primarily driven by the British
desire for territorial expansion and control over South India, clashing with the ambitions of Mysore's
rulers, Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan.
[8]
Option 1 is correct: The First Anglo-Mysore War (1767–1769) ended with the Treaty of Madras. The
Treaty of Madras restored the status quo between the British and Mysore, with both sides agreeing to
return captured territories.
Option 2 is correct: The Second Anglo-Mysore War ended with the Treaty of Mangalore in 1784.The
Treaty of Mangalore was signed after the Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780–1784) and involved the mutual
restitution of conquests and exchange of prisoners.
Option 3 is correct: The Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790–1792) concluded with the Treaty of
Seringapatam in 1792. Under this treaty, Tipu Sultan was forced to cede half of his kingdom, including
significant territories, to the British East India Company and its allies. This weakened Mysore
significantly.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir -- Expansion and Consolidation of British Power in
India
Subtopic:)
Q.18)
Ans) a
Statement 1 is correct: The Treaty of Salbai, signed in 1782, brought an end to the First Anglo-Maratha
War (1775-1782). The treaty established a 20-year peace between the British and the Marathas and
returned captured territories to both parties, stabilizing the power balance in India at the time.
Statement 2 is correct: Under the terms of the Treaty of Salbai, the British were allowed to retain
control over Salsette, an island off the coast of Mumbai. This was a significant gain for the British as it
strengthened their position in the western part of India.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Treaty of Salbai did not impose any formal obligation on the Marathas to
ally with the British against other European powers. Instead the Peshwa agreed not to support any
other European power. The treaty was primarily focused on securing peace between the British and the
Marathas and did not specifically bind the Marathas to support the British in conflicts with other
European powers like the French.
Knowledge Base: The Treaty of Salbai outlined the following key provisions:
1) Territories captured after the Treaty of Purandhar were returned to the Marathas.
2) Fateh Singh Gaekwad maintained his pre-war territories in Gujarat and continued serving the Peshwa.
3) The English ceased support for Raghunathrao, who received an allowance from the Peshwa.
4) Haidar Ali was required to return territories seized from the English and the Nawab of Arcot.
5) The English regained their previous trade privileges.
6) Both the Peshwa and the English committed to ensuring peace among their respective allies.
&) Mahadji Scindia acted as the guarantor for upholding the treaty's terms.
India
Subtopic:)
Q.19)
Ans) a
[9]
The British conquest of Sindh in 1843 marked the expansion of British India into the northwest. After a
series of conflicts and diplomatic maneuvers, the British defeated the Amirs of Sindh at the Battle of
Miani. This victory allowed the British to annex Sindh, strengthening their control over the region.
Statement-I is correct: The Treaty of Eternal Friendship in 1807 was indeed signed between the
British and the Amirs of Sindh. This treaty was part of the broader British strategy to secure alliances in
the region to safeguard their interests in India.
Statement-II is correct: The purpose of the Treaty of Eternal Friendship was to create a defensive
barrier against potential invasions by the French and Russians. In June 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte joined
the alliance of Tilsit with Tsar Alexander I of Russia. This alliance included a plan for a joint invasion of
India through a land route. In response, the British sought to establish a buffer zone between Russia
and their Indian territories.
Statement-II explains Statement-I: Statement-II provides the rationale behind the signing of the Treaty
of Eternal Friendship mentioned in Statement-I. The defensive strategy against French and Russian
threats was the driving force behind this diplomatic agreement with the Amirs of Sindh.
India
Subtopic:)
Q.20)
Ans) a
Lord Canning (1856-1862) was the Governor-General of India during the Revolt of 1857. After the revolt,
he became the first Viceroy of India when the administration was transferred from the East India
Company to the British Crown in 1858.
Another significant events during his tenure:
Establishment of three universities at Calcultta, Madras and Bombay in 1857.
The outbreak of White Mutiny by British troops in 1859.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir - The revolt of 1857, Governor Generals and
Viceroys of India.
Topic) Revolt of 1857.
Subtopic:)
Q.21)
Ans) a
The First Anglo-Afghan War was fought between the British Empire and the Emirate of Kabul from 1838 to
1842. In 1838, Shuja Shah gained the support of the British and Maharaja Ranjit Singh for wresting power
from Dost Mohammad Khan. This was the Tripartite Treaty which was signed in June 1838 between Ranjit
Singh, Shah Shuja and Lord Auckland. As per this treaty, Shah Shuja would be reinstated on the Throne
but he will recognize the claim of Ranjit Singh on land on right bank of Indus.
Statement 1 is correct: The British East India Company's (EIC) primary objective in the First Anglo-Afghan
War (1838–1842) was to gain influence in Afghanistan and prevent it from becoming a Russian client state.
The British also wanted to replace the Afghan ruler, Amir Dost Mohammad Khan, with Shah Shuja ul-
Mulk, who they believed was more amenable to the British. The British accused Dost Mohammad of
[10]
colluding with the Russians and believed that a Russian-backed Persian army besieging Herat threatened
an invasion of India through Afghanistan.
Statement 2 is incorrect: First Anglo Afghan War was fought between 1838 to 1842. Lord Auckland was
the Governor General of India during this time i.e. from 1836-1842. Lord Ellenborough was Governor
General of India from 1942-44.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir- Expansion and Consolidation of British Power in
India
Subtopic:)
Q.22)
Ans) c
Option 1 is correct: The poligars (or palayakkarargal) of South India gave a stiff resistance to the
British between 1795 and 1805.The problem started in 1781, when the Nawab of Arcot gave the
management and control of Tinneveli and the Carnatic Provinces to the East India Company. This
arrangement caused resentment among the poligars who had, for long considered themselves as
independent sovereign authorities within their respective territories. The first revolt of the poligars
against the Company was basically over taxation, but had a larger political dimension in that the English
considered and treated the poligars as enemies.
Option 2 is correct: Kutch or Cutch Rebellion (1816–32) was a rebellion against British rule in the Kutch
region of Gujarat. The rebellion was led by local chieftains and rulers, including Rao Bharmal II, who felt
threatened by British encroachment and the imposition of British authority.
Option 3 is correct: Ahom Revolt (1828) was a rebellion against British rule in Assam, led by the Ahom
kingdom, which had ruled Assam for centuries. The British had pledged to withdraw from Assam after the
First Burma War (1824–26). But, after the war, instead of withdrawing, the British attempted to
incorporate the Ahoms’ territories in the Company’s dominion. This sparked off a rebellion in 1828 under
the leadership of Gomdhar Konwar, an Ahom prince.
Option 4 is incorrect: Surat Salt Agitations (1840s) were a series of protests against British salt
policies, which had hurt the livelihoods of local salt producers and traders in Surat, Gujarat. In August
1844, the British government levied Re 1 as excise and import duties on salt within territories of
Bombay state. The tax was earlier 50 paise. The sudden and bizarre increase didn’t go well with Surtis as
they revolted against the British from August 21 to 31 before the British administration was forced to
revoke it. Thus, the real cause behind was raising of taxes not British encroachment on autonomous
domains of power and culture in 19th Century
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir -- Rising resentment against company rule
Subtopic:)
Q.23)
Ans) c
Option a is correct: The Wahabi Movement was essentially an Islamic revivalist movement founded by
Syed Ahmed of Rai Bareilly who was inspired by the teachings of Abdul Wahab (1703–87) of Saudi Arabia
and Shah Waliullah of Delhi.
[11]
Option b is correct: Syed Ahmed condemned the Western influence on Islam and advocated a return to
pure Islam and society as it was in the Arabia of the Prophet’s time The Wahabis played an important
role in spreading anti-British sentiments. A series of military operations by the British in the 1860s on
the Wahabi base in Sithana and various court cases of sedition on the Wahabis weakened the Wahabi
resistance, although sporadic encounters with the authorities continued into the 1880s and 1890s.
Option c is incorrect: The Wahabi Movement was a revivalist movement within Islam that sought to
purge the faith of what it saw as innovations and deviations from the original teachings of the Quran and
Hadith. It advocated for a return to a more austere and literal interpretation of Islam, rather than
incorporation of western thoughts and culture in Islamic religious practices.
Option d is correct: Syed Ahmed was acclaimed as the desired leader (Imam). A countrywide organisation
with an elaborate secret code for its working under spiritual vice-regents (Khalifas) was set up, and
Sithana in the north-western tribal belt was chosen as a base for operations. In India, its important
centre was at Patna.
Subtopic:)
Q.24)
Ans) b
The Narkelberia Uprising (1782–1831) was led by Mir Nithar Ali (Titu Mir) in West Bengal. It is often
considered the first armed peasant uprising against the British. It saw Muslim tenants rebel against
oppressive landlords, particularly Hindu landlords who imposed a beard-tax on the Faraizis, and British
indigo planters. Initially an armed peasant revolt, it later took on a religious character and merged into
the Wahabi Movement. Titu mir became Islamic preacher after he converted to Wahabism.
Option a is incorrect: The Pagal Panthi, a semi-religious group of Hajong and Garo tribes in Bengal, was
led by Tipu to resist zamindar oppression by refusing excessive rents and attacking zamindar houses
from 1825 to 1835.
Option c is incorrect: Famine, enhanced land revenue demands and economic distress goaded the Chuar
aboriginal tribesmen of the Jungle Mahal of Midnapore district and also of the Bankura district (in Bengal)
to take up arms. These tribes' people were basically farmers and hunters. The uprising lasted from 1766 to
1772
Option d is incorrect: Moplah Uprisings were driven by increased revenue demands, reduced field sizes,
and official oppression, leading to widespread peasant unrest among the Moplahs of Malabar. Between
1836 and 1854, twenty-two rebellions occurred, but none were ultimately successful.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/titu-mir-returns-to-roil-bengal-190-years-after-his-fall-
in-war/article17665261.ece Subject:) Modern History
Subtopic:)
Q.25)
Ans) b
Exp) Option b is the correct answer
Both the English and the French had visions of establishing political power over India. The Anglo-French
rivalry in India led to a series of three Carnatic wars.
[12]
Pair 1 is correct: The First Carnatic War ended in 1748 when the Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle was signed
bringing the Austrian War of Succession to a conclusion. Under the terms of this treaty, Madras was
handed back to the English, and the French, in turn, got their territories in North America.
Pair 2 is incorrect: The Treaty of Pondicherry was signed in 1754 bringing an end to the Second
Carnatic War. It was agreed and signed in the French settlement of Puducherry in French India. The
favoured British candidate Mohamed Ali Khan Walajan was recognized as the Nawab of the Carnatic. On
the other hand, it was the Treaty of Paris which barred the French from having troops in Pondicherry.
Pair 3 is correct: The third Carnatic war ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. As per the Treaty,
Chandannagar and Pondicherry were returned to France, but they were barred from fortifying them or
having troops in them. With this treaty, the French hopes of building an empire in India were completely
destroyed and established the British as the paramount European power in India.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum -Advent of the Europeans in India.
Topic) Advent of the Europeans in India.
Subtopic:)
Q.26)
Ans) b
The Marathas dream of controlling the Mughal empire and establishing an all India empire could not be
realised due to the British presence and some of the inherent inabilities of the Maratha’s rule.
Option 1 is incorrect: Marathas did have a navy, thus absence of navy is not the reason for failure of
Marathas. In fact, the Maratha navy was so strong that they defeated the combined forces of the English
and the Portuguese. In 1721, when English and Portuguese launched an offensive against Marathas the
Maratha naval commander Kanhoji defeated them in both war and diplomacy.
Option 2 is correct: Marathas’ failure to encourage development of Science & Technology made them
inferior to the technologically advanced British. While the British were devoting their energies to
scientific inventions, extensive ocean voyages and acquisition of colonies, Marathas were steeped in
medievalism and paid very little attention to Science and technology.
Option 3 is correct: The lack of cooperation among the Marathas was one of the main reasons for their
failure. The Maratha empire was based on loose confederacies, powerful chiefs such as the Gaikwad, the
Holkar, the Sindhia and the Bhonsle carved out semi independent kingdoms for themselves and fought
against each other.
Option 4 is incorrect: The Marathas never withdrew/abolished Agricultural tax; in fact, they
continued the same revenue policy of the Mughals. Like the Mughals, the Marathas were also interested
in raising revenues, eg. Marathas collected nearly half of the agricultural produce as tax. This prevented
Marathas from gaining the loyalty of peasants, thus contributed to the failure of the Marathas.
Knowledge Base:
Chauth was a regular tax or tribute imposed at 25% on revenue or produce, hence the name, on lands
that were under nominal Mughal rule. The chauth was collected from the Mughals and other rulers who
were considered to be enemies of the Marathas.
Sardeshmukhi was an additional 10% levy on top of the chauth. It was a claim to 1/10th of standard land
revenue imposed on the entire population of the villages or towns. The sardeshmukhi was collected from
the Maratha jagirdars, who were granted land in return for their military service.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum -Expansion and Consolidation of British
Power.
[13]
Topic) Expansion and Consolidation of British Power.
Subtopic:)
Q.27)
Ans) c
Option 1 is correct: The Lex Loci Act of 1850 allowed a Hindu, who had converted to a different faith, to
inherit his ancestral property. People felt that it went against the Hindu religious practices and saw it
as an encroachment of the British in local customs.
Option 2 is correct: The General Service Enlistment Act was passed by Lord Canning in 1856, this act
required Indian soldiers (sepoys) to serve overseas if ordered. This was a significant issue because many
sepoys believed that crossing the sea would lead to the loss of their caste and religious purity. The act
disregarded these deeply held beliefs, causing widespread resentment and fear among the sepoys,
which fueled their discontent and contributed to the revolt.
Option 3 is correct: The foreign service allowance, or bhatta, was a special pay given to sepoys when
they served in regions considered foreign, such as Sindh or Punjab. The denial of this allowance was
seen as an unfair, leading to financial hardship and dissatisfaction among the sepoys. This economic
grievance was a significant and immediate factor in the buildup of anger that led to the 1857 revolt.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir - The revolt of 1857
Subtopic:)
Q.28)
Ans) b
Pair 1 is correct: Nana Saheb, also known as Dhondu Pant, was the adopted son of the last Peshwa, Baji
Rao II. He was denied his father’s pension by the British, which fueled his resentment, and led the
revolt in Kanpur.
He gathered a large force and declared himself the Peshwa, and acknowledged Bahadur Shah as the
Emperor of India, and declared himself to be his governor. His forces initially succeeded in expelling the
British from Kanpur.Despite early successes, Nana Saheb’s forces were eventually defeated by the British.
He fled to Nepal, where he is believed to have died.
Pair 2 is incorrect: Kunwar Singh was a zamindar (landlord) of Jagdishpur in Bihar. At the age of
seventy, he became one of the oldest leaders of the revolt. Kunwar Singh led the rebellion in Bihar and
not Bareilly. He fought several battles against the British and managed to recapture his ancestral fort in
Jagdishpur. He died in 1858, shortly after his final victory against the British.
At Bareilly, Khan Bahadur, a descendant of the former Rohilkhand ruler, led the revolt. Displeased with
the pension offered by the British, he raised an army of 40,000 soldiers and mounted a strong resistance
against them.
Pair 3 is correct: Maulvi Ahmadullah, was a prominent leader in the 1857 revolt and played a key role in
the resistance against the British in Faizabad. He was originally from Madras, but relocated to Faizabad
in the north. He emerged as one of the prominent leaders of the revolt once it broke out in Awadh in May
1857. Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir - The revolt of 1857
Topic) Revolt of 1857. Subtopic:)
[14]
Q.29)
Ans) c
Maharishi Debendranath Tagore (1817-1905) joined the Brahmo Samaj in 1842. He gave the Brahma
Samaj new vitality and the theist movement a clear form and structure. He was the father of
Rabindranath Tagore and a product of the best traditional Indian learning and western intellect. Prior
to this, Tagore served as the head of the Tattvabodhini Sabha, an organisation founded in 1839 and
known for its Bengali publication Tattvabodhini Patrika. Both Sabha and patrika were committed to Roy's
ideas and the systematic, rational study of India's past.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- Socio Religious Reform Movements.
Subtopic:)
Q.30)
Ans) d
Exp) Option d is the correct answer
Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), popularly known as Sher-e-Punjab or "Lion of Punjab", was the first Maharaja of
the Sikh Empire. He ruled the northwest Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century.
Statement 1 is incorrect: It was Guru Gobind Singh who first transformed the Sikhs into a militant sect
in defence of their religion and liberties. Ranjit Singh has been credited for establishing a strong
kingdom of Punjab. He was the son of Mahan Singh, the leader of the Sukarchakiya misl. Ranjit Singh
brought under control the area extending from the Sutlej to the Jhelum.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Ranjit Singh was an efficient administrator, and he greatly modernised his
army with the help of Europeans.
Statement 3 is incorrect: By the Treaty of Amritsar that he signed with the British, Ranjit Singh
acknowledged the British right over the territories on the Southern side of Sutlej River that fell under
the British territories
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum –India on the Eve of British Conquest.
Subtopic:)
Q.31)
Ans) b
The revolt of 1857 led to far-reaching changes in the system of administration and the policies of the
British government. The Army was thoroughly reorganised.
Statement 1 is incorrect. After 1857, the domination of the army by its European branch was carefully
guaranteed. British military policy came to be dominated by the idea of “division and counterpoise”. The
British could no longer depend on Indian loyalty, so the number of Indian soldiers was drastically
reduced even as the number of European soldiers was increased. The European Army to Indian Army
ratio was decided at 1:2 for Bengal army and 2:5 for Madras and Bombay Army. Thus, the proportion of
Europeans to Indians in the army was raised but it was not made to a level that Englishmen and Indians in
a battalion become equal in number.
[15]
Statement 2 is correct. The Army, which was at the forefront of the outbreak, was thoroughly
reorganised and British military policy came to be dominated by the idea of “division and
counterpoise”. After the revolt, the concept of divide and rule was adopted with separate units being
created on the basis of caste/community/region. Soldiers from Avadh, Bihar, Central India and South
India, were declared non-martial. These groups of soldiers were no longer taken in the army on a large
scale. On the other hand, the Sikhs, Gurkhas, and Pathans who has assisted in the suppression of the
revolt were declared to be martial and were recruited in large numbers.
Knowledge Base:
Other consequences of 1857 revolt on Army:
1) The Army Amalgamation Scheme, 1861 moved the Company’s European troops to the services of the
Crown.
2) Further, the European troops in India were constantly revamped by periodical visits to England,
sometimes termed as the ‘linked battalion’ scheme.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- The Revolt of 1857
Subtopic:)
Q.32)
Ans) b
During the early 19th century, Women were generally accorded a low status and were considered to be
inferior adjuncts to men, with no identity of their own. They enjoyed no scope of giving expression to
their talents as they were suppressed by practices such as purdah, early marriage, ban on widow-
marriage, sati, etc. Thus, many steps were taken to improve the conditions of women.
Option 3: The Sati Practice was abolished in Bengal in 1829. Through this, the British Indian government
declared the practice of sati illegal and punishable by criminal courts as culpable homicide. The
regulation of 1829 was applicable in the first instance to the Bengal Presidency alone but was extended
in slightly modified forms to Madras and Bombay Presidencies in 1830.
Option 4: The Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act was passed and enacted in 1856. It legalised marriage of
widows and declared issues from such marriages as legitimate.
Option 1: The Female Infanticide Prevention Act was passed and enacted in 1870. It was passed to
prevent murder of female infants.
Option 2: The Native Marriage Act (or Civil Marriage Act) was passed in 1872. It signified legislative
action in prohibiting child marriage. It had a limited impact as the Act was not applicable to Hindus,
Muslims and other recognised faiths. Later, the Age of Consent Act was enacted in 1891, which forbade
the marriage of girls below the age of 12.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum.
Subject:) Modern History Topic) Survey of British Policies in India.
Subtopic:)
Q.33)
Ans) a
Swami Dayananda Saraswati was the founder of the Arya Samaj Movement in 1875. Dayananda’s views
were published in his famous work, Satyarth Prakash (The True Exposition). His vision of India included a
classless and casteless society, with Aryan religion being the common religion of all.
[16]
Statement 1 is correct. Swami Dayananda Saraswati took inspiration from the Vedas and considered
them to be infallible. He considered the Vedas to be the true original seed of Hinduism. He gave the
slogan “Back to the Vedas”. However, he criticised later Hindu scriptures such as the Puranas and the
ignorant priests for perverting Hinduism.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Swami Dayananda subscribed to the Vedic notion of the Chaturvarna System.
He supported the idea that a person was not born in any caste but was identified as a brahmin, kshatriya,
vaishya or shudra according to the occupation the person followed.
Statement 3 is correct. Dayananda strongly criticised the escapist Hindu belief in maya (illusion) as the
running theme of all physical existence. He also criticised the idea that the aim of human life is a
struggle to attain moksha (salvation) through escape from this evil world to seek union with God. Thus he
attacked the prevalent popular belief that every individual contributed and got back from society
according to the principles of niyati (destiny) and karma (deeds). He held the world to be a battlefield
where every individual has to work out his salvation by right deeds.
Statement 4 is incorrect. Swami Dayananda launched a frontal attack on Hindu orthodoxy. He criticised
caste rigidities, untouchability, idolatry, polytheism, belief in magic, charms and animal sacrifices, taboo
on sea voyages, feeding the dead through shraddhas, etc.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform
Movements
Subtopic:)
Q.34)
Ans) b
Statement a is correct. A group of westerners led by Madame H.P. Blavatsky (1831- 1891) and Colonel
M.S. Olcott founded the Theosophical Society in New York City, United States in 1875.
In 1882, they shifted their headquarters to Adyar, on the outskirts of Madras (at that time) in India.
Statement b is incorrect. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Colonel Henry Steel Olcott founded the
Theosophical Society in New York in 1875 and later moved its headquarters to Adyar, near Madras (now
Chennai), India, in 1882. Annie Besant joined the Theosophical Society in 1889.
Statement c is correct. The Movement accepted the Hindu beliefs in reincarnation and karma. It drew
inspiration from the philosophy of the Upanishads and Samkhya, yoga and Vedanta schools of thought.
Statement d is correct. The impact of the Theosophical Movement was limited to a small segment of the
westernised class. Hence, the Theosophists did not attain much success. But as a movement of
westerners glorifying Indian religious and philosophical traditions, it gave much needed self-respect to
the Indians fighting British colonial rule.
In India, the movement became somewhat popular with the election of Annie Besant (1847-1933) as its
president after the death of Olcott in 1907.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- Socio-Cultural Reform Movements
Subject:) Modern History Topic) Socio Religious Reform Movements. Subtopic:)
Q.35)
Ans) c
The removal of untouchability was one of Mahatma Gandhi’s central concerns. In both words and actions,
Gandhi attacked untouchability in ways that were radical for a ‘caste Hindu’.
[17]
Option c is correct. Mahatma Gandhi said on 2nd February 1934, “as a savarna Hindu, when I see that
there are some Hindus called avarnas, it offends my sense of justice and truth” and “if I discover that
Hindu shastras really countenance untouchability as it is seen today, I will renounce and denounce
Hinduism.”
In 1915, he said “if it were proved to me that this is an essential part of Hinduism, I for one would declare
myself an open rebel against Hinduism itself.” Also, in 1921, Gandhi boldly described the practice of
“untouchability” as “a blot on Hinduism”.
Source:)
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/gandhi-denounced-caste-and-untouchability
https://indianhistorycollective.com/a-historian-recommends-gandhi-vs-
caste/#:~:text=He%20said%20on%202nd%20February,in%20Young%20India%20in%20April
A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum.
Topic) Miscellaneous.
Subtopic:)
Q.36)
Ans) d
Dr Dhondo Keshav Karve, more commonly known as Anna Karve, was instrumental in empowering
women in pre-independence India and promoting widows' education.
Statement 1 is correct:
Professor D.K. Karve made several efforts in social reform movements in western India. He dedicated his
life to the upliftment of Hindu widows he became the secretary of the Widow Remarriage Association.
Statement 2 is correct: He opened a widows’ home in Poona to give the high caste widows an interest
in life by providing them with facilities for vocational training. The right of widows to remarriage was
also advocated by B.M. Malabari, Narmad (Narmadashankar Labhshankar Dave), Justice Govind Mahadeo
Ranade and K. Natarajan among others.
Statement 3 is correct: D.K. Karve married a widow in 1893.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum - Socio-Religious Reform Movements.
Movements. Page no- 197.
Topic:)Socio Religious Reform Movements.
Subtopic:)
Q.37)
Ans) b
Exp) option b is the correct answer.
The Indian Factory Act of 1881 marked an early effort by the British colonial administration to regulate
labour conditions in India, particularly concerning child labor.( (between 7 and 12 years of age).
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Indian Factory Act of 1881 prohibited the employment of children below
the age of 7 Years. However, it was Indian Factory Act of 1891 which raised the minimum age of children
allowed to work in factories from 7 to 9 years.
Statement 2 is correct. The Indian Factory Act of 1881 had also made the provision for fencing of the
Hazardous machinery which in turn promoted the safety and security of the children working in the
factory.
Knowledge Base: Other important provision of the Indian Factory Act of 1881
[18]
1) Working hours were restricted to 9 hours per day for children.
2) Children were to get four holidays in a month.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir - Survey of British Policies in India - Labour
Legislations
Topic) Survey of British Policies in India.
Subtopic:)
Q.38)
Ans) d
Exp) option d is the correct answer.
The commercialization of agriculture in the late 19th century was a significant development in Indian
agriculture, driven by colonial policies aimed at integrating India into the global economy.
Statement 1 is correct. The commercialization of Indian agriculture under British rule led to a
significant decline in food grain production as farmers shifted to commercial crops. From 1893-94 to
1945-46, food crop production decreased by 7%, while commercial crop production increased by 85%,
causing frequent famines and devastating the rural economy.
Statement 2 is correct. The commercialization of agriculture during latter half of the nineteenth
century, tied Indian agriculture to international markets, making it vulnerable to global price
fluctuations. The benefits were enjoyed by the intermediaries whereas the downfall hit the cultivators
the most, bringing in its turn heavy indebtedness, famine and agrarian riots in the Deccan in the 1870s.
Statement 3 is correct. Regional specialization of crop production based on climatic conditions, soil
etc., was an outcome of the commercial revolution in agriculture. Deccan districts of Bombay
presidency grew cotton, Bengal grew jute and Indigo, Bihar grew opium, Assam grew tea, Punjab grew
wheat, etc
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir -Economic Impact of British Rule in India -
Commercialisation of Indian Agriculture
https://www.rncollegehajipur.in/rn/uploads/products/Commercialization%20of%20Agriculture%20D
uring%20British%20Rule%20%20in%20India.pdf
Topic) Survey of British Policies in India.
Subtopic:)
Q.39)
Ans) c
Exp) option c is the correct answer.
The nationalist critique of colonial economic policies during late 19 th and early 20th century was robustly
articulated by several prominent Indian thinkers who documented and analysed the detrimental impact
of British rule on India's economy. These works were crucial in raising awareness among Indians and
providing intellectual foundations for the freedom struggle.
Pair 1 is incorrect. The work "Some Economic Aspects of British Rule in India" was written by G.
Subramaniya Iyer in 1903, not Justice Mahadeo Govind Ranade. While Ranade was a significant figure in
economic thought and social reform, known for advocating industrialization and economic self-
sufficiency in India, this specific work is not attributed to him.
Pair 2 is correct. Romesh Chandra Dutt's "The Economic History of India,"(1901-03), is a seminal work
that critically examines how British economic policies led to widespread poverty and economic
[19]
stagnation in India. Dutt argued that colonial policies were designed to benefit Britain at the expense of
India's economic interests, highlighting the drain of wealth from India to Britain.
Pair 3 is correct. The book by William Digby (1849-1904), Prosperous British India (1901) bitterly
criticised the imperialist drain of India’s resources by the colonial rule.
Pair 4 is correct. Dadabhai Naoroji's "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India," published in 1901, is a
foundational text in Indian economic thought. Naoroji, often referred to as the "Grand Old Man of India,"
articulated the Drain Theory, which argued that Britain's exploitative economic policies were responsible
for the impoverishment of India. He detailed how British policies systematically drained India's wealth
and resources, contributing to the country's poverty.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir - Economic Impact of British Rule in India, Survey
of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements
Topic) Economic Impact of British Rule in India.
Subtopic:)
Q.40)
Ans) a
Statement 1 is correct. Captain William Hawkins was an Englishman who visited the court of Jahangir
in 1609 on behalf of the James I, King of England. He sought permission from Jahangir to establish a
factory at Surat. However, the mission to establish a factory at Surat didn’t succeed due to opposition
from the Portuguese.
Statement 2 is correct. Sir Thomas Roe was an English diplomat who arrived at the court of Jahangir in
1615 as an ambassador of King James I of England. His primary mission was to secure commercial
privileges and permission to establish factories in various parts of India. Unlike Hawkins, Roe managed
to establish favorable relations, securing permission for the Company to set up factories in Agra
Ahmedabad and Broach.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Francois Bernier was a French traveler and physician who visited India
during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, not Jahangir. He is known for his detailed accounts of India,
which provide valuable insights into the Mughal Empire.
Statement 4 is incorrect. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was a French jeweler and traveler who made several
visits to India between 1630-68. He traveled extensively in the Mughal Empire but did not visit during
Jahangir's reign. His primary interest was in trade, particularly in precious stones, rather than
establishing factories.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir-Advent of the Europeans in India
https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/lehs201.pdf
Subtopic:)
Q.41)
Ans) d
Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect: Jotedars were a group of rich peasants. At the beginning of the
nineteenth century, they had acquired vast areas of land. A large part of their land was cultivated by
[20]
sharecroppers (adhiyars or bargadars) who brought their own ploughs, worked in the field, and handed
over half the produce to the jotedars after the harvest.
In the villages, the power of the jotedars was more effective than that of the zamindars. Unlike zamindars,
who often lived in urban areas, jotedars were located in villages and had direct control over a large
section of poor villagers.
Statement 2 is incorrect: In Persian, the term Gomastha signifies agent. The Gomasthas were the British
East India Company’s Indian agents, who signed agreements with the artisans and local weavers to
supply goods to the company They set the cost of the products. The government appointed the
Gomasthas. The weavers were controlled by them. They gathered the supplies and the standard of the
fabric was evaluated.
Source:) NCERT 12th India on eve of British conquest
Topic) India on the Eve of British Conquest
Subtopic:)
Q.42)
Ans) a
Statement 1 is correct. The dual system of government was a result of the granting of Diwani and
Nizamat rights to the company. These rights were granted by the treaty of Allahabad (1765) signed with
Shah Alam-II.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Robert Clive introduced the dual system of government, i.e., the rule of the
two—the Company and the Nawab—in Bengal (1765-72). Warren Hastings abolished the Dual System of
Government in Bengal in 1772.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum – Expansion and consolidation of British
Power in India.
Subtopic:)
Q.43)
Ans) d
The Derozians were a radical group of free thinkers who emerged from Hindu College, Calcutta.
Statement 1 is incorrect. Derozians emerged as an intellectual and radical trend among youths in Bengal.
Their domain was restricted to the general and young population to effectively take forwards their ideas.
They lacked a real link with the masses where the root causes existed which needed to be addressed
and their participation was needed.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The lack of real links with the masses failed them to effectively address any of
the peasant causes. Infact, their radicalism proved to be bookish in character.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The reason for limited success of Derozians was the prevailing social
conditions like widow remarriage, child marriage etc. at that time which were not ripe for adoption of
any radical ideas.
Statement 4 is correct. Henry Vivian Derozio inspired his pupil to think freely and rationally, question all
authority, love and liberty, equality and freedom. They supported women’s rights and education and
[21]
opposed decadent customs and traditions. However, this was not one of the reasons for their limited
success.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum – Socio Religious Reform Movement.
Topic) Socio Religious Reform Movement.
Subtopic:)
Q.44)
Ans) b
Statement 1 is correct. Rammohan Roy propagated the introduction and spread of modern education
which could act as a major vehicle for the dissemination of modern ideas in the country. For its
promotion he provided enthusiastic support to David Hare who, along with many Indian notables of
Calcutta, founded the famous Hindu College in 1817. He also ran an English School in Calcutta at his own
cost. In 1825 he founded the Vedanta College which offered both Indian and Western learning
Statement 2 is incorrect. The foundation of Sanskrit College was laid in 1824 by John Paskal Larkins. The
foundation was laid based on a recommendation by HT James Prinsep and Thomas Babington Macaulay.
The institution rose into prominence and glory during the principalship of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. It
was in 1851 that the college first opened its doors for the students belonging to the non-Brahmin
community as well.
Statement 3 is correct. Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar was the first Secretary of Bethune School.
The College owes its origin to John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune (1801-1851) who established Calcutta Female
School, the first school for girls in Calcutta.
Source:) A brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- Socio Religious Reform Movements
http://www.bethunecollege.ac.in/BethuneCollege.htm
Subtopic:)
Q.45)
Ans) a
Statement 1 is correct. In 1741, Dupleix became the Governor-General of Pondicherry. He found
Pondicherry facing several problems—Maratha invasion, famine, uncultivated land and chaotic conditions
in the Carnatic.
Apart from these, the Directors of the Company, sought a drastic cut in expenditure of the French East
India Company, owing to the priority given to the French colonies in North America. So, Dupleix reduced
public expenditure, despite opposition of his council, and balanced income and expenditure, coupled
with a cut on salaries of officers. However, he decided to disobey the directors on the matter of
fortification of settlements. He enhanced the defences of Pondicherry, even spending a large sum from
his personal wealth. He made Pondicherry the emporium of commerce in south India by taking practical
steps to develop the trade of the colony. Later, the Directors of the Company praised Dupleix for taking
the right decisions, even in contradiction of the directors.
Statement 2 is incorrect
Dupleix was the first European to interfere in the internal politics of the Indian rulers. He supported
Muzzaffar Jang for Hyderabad and Chanda Sahib for Carnatic and his candidates emerged successful and,
in return, gave great concessions to Dupleix.
[22]
Dupleix was, in fact, the originator of the practice of subsidiary alliance in India. He placed a French
army at Hyderabad at the expense of the subahdar.
The analysis of the first two Carnatic wars proves the diplomacy of Dupleix as a leader who visualised
the path of the European conquest of India.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Dupleix planned a campaign, directed his lieutenants, but never led an army in
the battlefield like Lawrence or Clive. The French failed to capture Trichnopoly (1752-53) because the
schemes thought out by Dupleix could not be turned into action by his commanders.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- Advent of Europeans.
Subtopic:)
Q.46)
Ans) d
Nino da Cunha assumed office of the governor of Portuguese interests in India in November 1529 and
almost one year later shifted the headquarters of the Portuguese government in India from Cochin to
Goa. He secured the island of Bassein with its dependencies and revenues in 1534 from Bahadur Shah of
Gujarat, during his conflict with the Mughal emperor Humayun. His relation with Bahadur Shah become
sour when Humayun withdrew from Gujarat. It was also in his tenure that ruler of Gujarat was brought on
the Portuguese ship and killed in 1537. Da Cunha also attempted to increase Portuguese influence in
Bengal by settling many Portuguese nationals there with Hooghly as their headquarters.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- Advent of Europeans
Subtopic:)
Q.47)
Ans) d
Statement 1 is correct: Begum Hazrat Mahal played a key role in the revolt in Lucknow, which began on
June 4, 1857. She effectively led the uprising, and her son, Birjis Qadir, was declared the Nawab of Oudh.
Statement 2 is correct: Henry Lawrence, the British Resident in Lucknow, along with European
residents and loyal sepoys, took refuge in the Residency. This site was under siege by Indian rebels, and
Henry Lawrence was killed during the prolonged siege. Brigadier Inglis then took over the command of
the besieged forces.
Statement 3 is correct: In November Sir Colin Campbell, the new commander in-chief, arrived with a
Gorkha regiment that ensured a victory for the British.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir - The revolt of 1857
Subject:) Modern History Topic) Revolt of 1857.
Subtopic:)
Q.48)
Ans) b
Misl refers to major Sikh confederacies that sought to expand Sikh rule across the Panjab in the
eighteenth century, leading to significant weakening of the Mughal rule across the region.
[23]
Option a is incorrect. These are not formed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. These are powerful confederacies
of Sikhs which were organized in 12 misls and operated in different parts of the province.
Option b is correct. These misls are democratic in nature and are based on principles of equality, with
all members having an equal voice in deciding the affairs of misls.
Option c is incorrect. These were formed with the withdrawal of Abdali from the Punjab. And by that time
Nadir Shah already invaded. These were formed to fill the political vacuum created by the withdrawal of
Ahmad Shah Abdali.
Option d is incorrect. Unity of Khalsa weakened not due to powerful nature of misls , but due to
weakening of democratic nature of misls. When misl’s power got weakened, the spirit of brotherhood
and the unity of khalsa also disappeared as the powerful chiefs constantly quarreled with one another
and set themselves up as independent chieftains.
Knowledge Base: Maharaja Ranjit Singh belonged to Sukarchakiya misl.
Source:) Class- 12 MODERN India NCERT by Bipan Chandra -Indian states and society in the 18th century
page-27, 28
Subtopic:)
Q.49)
Ans) a
Chatuspathis or Tols were centres of higher education in Bihar and Bengal in 18th century. Some of the
famous centre for Sanskrit education in 18th century were Kasi, (Varanasi), Tirhut (Mithila), Nadia and
Utkala. The education in 18th century was confined to literature, religion, philosophy mad excluded the
study of physical sciences, technology and geography.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- India on the Eve of British Conquest.
Subtopic:)
Q.50)
Ans) b
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Ahom revolt occurred in the area of North eastern province i.e., present
day Assam. The uprising was suppressed by the Company by dividing the kingdom.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Ahoms’ Revolt (1828-33) is a result of non-fulfilment of the pledges of the
Company after the Burmese War. It occurred as response to the British annexation of their lands.
Statement 3 is correct: The revolt succeeded the first Anglo Burmese war. The British had pledged to
withdraw from Assam after the First Burma War (1824-26). But, after the war, instead of withdrawing, the
British attempted to incorporate the territories of the Kingdom of Ahom in the Company’s dominion.
Statement 4 is correct: This sparked off a rebellion in 1828 under the leadership of Gomdhar Konwar, an
Ahom prince, along with compatriots, such as Dhanjoy Borgohain, and Jairam Khargharia Phukan.
Assembling near Jorhat, the rebels formally made Gomdhar Konwar the king.
Source:) A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum- Rising resentment against company
rule. Subject:) Modern History
Subtopic:)
[24]

211133

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

211133

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

211133

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PTS 2025 | Test Code : 211133 |

DO NOT OPEN THIS TEST BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

Maximum Marks: 100 Time Allowed: ONE HOUR

DO NOT OPEN THIS TEST BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

You might also like