Q. The first map of India during British rule was scientifically produced by:
A) Claudius Ptolemy
B) Al-Idrisi
C) James Rennel
D) William Lambton
Answer: C) James Rennel
Q. Consider the following statements about James Rennel:
1. He is regarded as the Father of Indian Cartography.
2. He produced the first scientific map of India in 1782.
3. His work Memoir of a Map of Hindoostan is based on his surveys.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Why do historians consider dates as important in history?
A) They show the economic progress of a country
B) They help in establishing the chronological sequence of events
C) They only mark the birthdays of rulers
D) They are used for calculating calendars
Answer: B) They help in establishing the chronological sequence of events
Q. Which of the following is NOT a reason for studying dates in history?
A) To analyze the causes and effects of events
B) To compare developments across regions and periods
C) To glorify kings and dynasties only
D) To understand continuity and change over time
Answer: C) To glorify kings and dynasties only
Q. Who was the first Governor-General of India?
A) Lord Cornwallis
B) Lord Hastings
C) Warren Hastings
D) Lord William Bentinck
Answer: C) Warren Hastings
Q. Who was the last Viceroy of India?
A) Lord Mountbatten
B) Lord Wavell
C) Lord Linlithgow
D) C. Rajagopalachari
Answer: A) Lord Mountbatten
Q. Why do historians periodise history?
A) To divide time into short stories for entertainment
B) To organize past events into segments that are easy to study
C) To focus only on the achievements of kings
D) To ignore the changes that occurred over time
Answer: B) To organize past events into segments that are easy to study
Q. Who divided Indian history into three periods – Hindu, Muslim and British?
A) Karl Marx
B) James Mill
C) Charles Metcalfe
D) William Jones
Answer: B) James Mill
Q. Which of the following was NOT a view of James Mill about India?
A) Indian society was highly civilised before the British
B) Hindus and Muslims were ruled by despotic rulers
C) India lacked progress before British rule
D) British rule was necessary to bring civilisation
Answer: A) Indian society was highly civilised before the British
Q. According to James Mill, British rule in India would:
A) Civilise Indians by introducing Western education and laws
B) Destroy Indian traditions completely
C) Make India economically prosperous without exploitation
D) Eliminate all social divisions in India
Answer: A) Civilise Indians by introducing Western education and laws
Q. James Mill’s views on Indian history are considered problematic because:
1. He gave religious labels to historical periods.
2. He considered Indians backward and uncivilised.
3. He justified British domination as a ‘civilising mission’.
Which of the above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Modern historians divide Indian history mainly on the basis of:
A) Religion of rulers
B) Social and economic factors
C) Dynasties and battles only
D) Foreign invasions
Answer: B) Social and economic factors
Q. Which of the following best reflects the approach of modern historians towards periodisation?
A) They rely mainly on religious labels like Hindu or Muslim.
B) They focus on continuity and change in society, economy, and culture.
C) They glorify only the rulers and their dynasties.
D) They see British rule as the only modern phase.
Answer: B) They focus on continuity and change in society, economy, and culture.
Q. Why is the division of Indian history into Ancient, Medieval, and Modern problematic in the Indian context during British rule?
A) It was borrowed from European history and does not fit Indian social and cultural realities.
B) It portrays the medieval period as backward and the British period as “modern” or civilised.
C) It ignores continuity and diverse developments in Indian society.
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Q. According to modern historians, the use of Ancient–Medieval–Modern labels in Indian history is problematic because:
A) It was borrowed from European history
B) It suggests that ‘modern’ equals British rule
C) It shows the medieval period as backward
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Q. What does the term “colonial” primarily refer to?
A) A system of government where local rulers have complete independence
B) A period of cultural and economic development within a country
C) The control or influence of one country over another territory, often involving settlement and exploitation
D) A style of architecture found only in rural areas
Answer: C) The control or influence of one country over another territory, often involving settlement and exploitation
Q. Who is a calligraphist?
A) A person who studies ancient manuscripts
B) A person who practices the art of beautiful handwriting or decorative writing
C) A person who paints landscapes
D) A person who carves sculptures
Answer: B) A person who practices the art of beautiful handwriting or decorative writing
Q. Why were surveys important for the British in India?
A) To promote local education and culture
B) To measure land, assess revenue, and plan administration efficiently
C) To encourage Indian self-rule
D) To record local festival
Answer: B) To measure land, assess revenue, and plan administration efficiently
Q. What did a typical British survey in India contain?
A) Only cultural and religious details of villages
B) Detailed information on land, ownership, revenue, crops, and boundaries
C) Stories and folk traditions of local communities
D) Only maps without any other data
Answer: B) Detailed information on land, ownership, revenue, crops, and boundaries
Q. Which of the following was excluded from British surveys?
A) Village maps and plots
B) Taxable land areas
C) Local music, myths, and oral traditions
D) Roads and irrigation canals
Answer: C) Local music, myths, and oral traditions
Q. During the British period in India, where did historians primarily get sources about the lives of common people?
A) Official records and revenue documents only
B) Village records, revenue surveys, letters, and local accounts
C) Only royal decrees and court chronicles
D) Foreign travelogues exclusively
Answer: B) Village records, revenue surveys, letters, and local accounts
Q. Letters and diaries of British officials are examples of:
A) Primary sources for studying administration and common people
B) Secondary sources about royal families only
C) Folk tales
D) Religious scriptures
Answer: Primary sources for studying administration and common people