Q. After the death of Aurangzeb (1707), the Mughal Empire:
A) Continued to expand under strong centralized control
B) Gradually declined, leading to regional powers asserting autonomy
C) Allied with the British to strengthen administration
D) Reached its cultural peak
Answer: B) Gradually declined, leading to regional powers asserting autonomy
Q. Why did European powers in the 15th–16th centuries seek a direct sea route to India?
1. To bypass Arab and Ottoman intermediaries in the spice trade.
2. To reduce the cost of spices and other luxury goods in Europe.
3. To spread Christianity in India.
4. To establish colonies in India immediately.
Options:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2, and 3 only
C) 2 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only
Q. Who was the first European to reach India by a direct sea route from Europe?
A) Christopher Columbus
B) Vasco da Gama
C) Ferdinand Magellan
D) Bartolomeu Dias
Answer: B) Vasco da Gama
Explanation: Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, reached Calicut (Kozhikode) in 1498, opening the sea route to India.
Q. Which of the following best defines mercantile trading?
A) Trade conducted primarily for local consumption within a country
B) Trade aimed at generating profit by buying and selling goods, often across regions or countries
C) Trade carried out by government officials for taxation purposes
D) Trade limited to the exchange of agricultural products only
Answer: B) Trade aimed at generating profit by buying and selling goods, often across regions or countries
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the East India Company:
1. It was founded in 1600 by a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I.
2. Its initial purpose was only political control over Indian territories.
3. The Company was given monopoly rights to trade in the East Indies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 1 and 3 only
Q. Consider the following statements about the beginning of East India Company’s trade in Bengal:
1. The Company first established its factory at Hooghly in 1651 with permission from the Mughal governor of Bengal.
2. The Company received permission to trade duty-free in Bengal under the Farman issued by Aurangzeb.
3. By 1696 East India Company start building fort around the settlement.
Which of the statements given above 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. The East India Company received Zamindari rights of three villages from the Mughal authorities, These villages were:
(a) Sutanuti, Govindpur, Kalikata
(b) Hooghly, Murshidabad, Patna
(c) Dacca, Sutanuti, Balasore
(d) Kasimbazar, Govindpur, Burdwan
Answer: (a) Sutanuti, Govindpur, Kalikata
Explanation: In 1698, the Company received Zamindari rights of Sutanuti, Govindpur, and Kalikata.
Q. Who was appointed as the first Nawab of Bengal after Aurangzeb’s death, laying the foundation of semi-independent Bengal?
(a) Siraj-ud-Daulah
(b) Murshid Quli Khan
(c) Alivardi Khan
(d) Mir Jafar
Answer: (b) Murshid Quli Khan
Q. Arrange the following Nawabs of Bengal in correct chronological order:
1. Alivardi Khan
2. Siraj-ud-Daulah
3. Murshid Quli Khan
4. Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan
Options:
(a) 3 → 4 → 1 → 2
(b) 3 → 1 → 4 → 2
(c) 4 → 3 → 1 → 2
(d) 1 → 3 → 4 → 2
Answer: (a) 3 → 4 → 1 → 2
Q. Consider the following statements about the independent rulers of Bengal in the 18th century:
1. They refused to grant the Company the right to mint coins.
2. They opposed the fortification of Company settlements like Calcutta.
3. They resisted the demand for expansion of commercial concessions beyond what the Mughal Farman of 1717 had already given.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. The Nawabs of Bengal were opposed to granting new privileges to the Company because:
(a) It undermined their revenue and political authority.
(b) It allowed Dutch and French to demand similar rights.
(c) It encouraged Indian merchants to bypass local taxes.
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (d) All of the above
Q. Siraj-ud-Daulah attacked and captured which East India Company settlement in 1756, where the Company had stored arms and fortified its warehouse?
(a) Kasimbazar
(b) Calcutta
(c) Murshidabad
(d) Plassey
Answer: (a) Kasimbazar
Q. The Battle of Plassey (1757) was fought between:
(a) Siraj-ud-Daulah and Robert Clive
(b) Siraj-ud-Daulah and Mir Jafar
(c) Mir Qasim and the East India Company
(d) Alivardi Khan and the East India Company
Answer: (a) Siraj-ud-Daulah and Robert Clive
Q. Which of the following was the main reason for Siraj-ud-Daulah’s defeat at Plassey?
(a) The military superiority of the Company
(b) The betrayal by his commanders, Mir Jafar
(c) The Marathas attacked Bengal simultaneously
(d) The French forces deserted the Nawab
Answer: (b) The betrayal by his commanders, Mir Jafar
Q. The Battle of Plassey is considered a turning point in Indian history because:
1. It marked the first major political victory of the Company in India.
2. It laid the foundation of British political control in Bengal.
3. It enabled the Company to directly obtain Diwani rights in Bengal.
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: (a) 1 and 2 only
Q. Mir Jafar was deposed by the British in 1760 because:
(a) He secretly conspired with the French
(b) He was unable to meet the financial demands of the East India Company
(c) He attempted to attack Fort William
(d) He encouraged peasants to revolt against the Company
Answer: (b) He was unable to meet the financial demands of the East India Company
Q. Who replaced Mir Jafar when he was deposed in 1760?
(a) Siraj-ud-Daulah
(b) Mir Qasim
(c) Najm-ud-Daulah
(d) Shuja-ud-Daulah
Answer: (b) Mir Qasim
Q. Where did the Battle of Buxar take place?
(a) Near the banks of river Ganga, at Buxar (Bihar)
(b) Near Plassey, Bengal
(c) At Murshidabad, Bengal
(d) Near Allahabad, UP
Answer: (a) Near the banks of river Ganga, at Buxar (Bihar)
Q. Consider the following statements about the Battle of Buxar:
1. It was fought in 1764 between the British and the combined forces of Bengal, Awadh, and the Mughal Emperor.
2. The victory gave the Company the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
3. It confirmed British political supremacy in northern India.
Which of the statements 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. Which of the following was a direct consequence of the Battle of Buxar?
(a) Establishment of Company’s military superiority in South India
(b) Grant of Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar, Orissa
(c) Annexation of Awadh
(d) Beginning of the Subsidiary Alliance system
Answer: (b) Grant of Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar, Orissa
Q. In the context of 18th-century India, who were called ‘Nabobs’?
(a) Local Indian rulers of Bengal
(b) Officers of the East India Company who returned to Britain with immense wealth
(c) Mughal administrators in Delhi
(d) British soldiers posted in South India
Answer: (b) Officers of the East India Company who returned to Britain with immense wealth
Q. In the context of British India, a ‘Resident’ in an Indian princely state was:
(a) A British military officer stationed to defend the state from invasion
(b) A representative of the East India Company to supervise and influence the state’s administration
(c) A local tax collector appointed by the Nawab or Maharaja
(d) An Indian official sent to negotiate trade with the British
Answer: (b) A representative of the East India Company or the British Crown to supervise and influence the state’s administration
Q. Which of the following is true about the role of a British Resident in India?
(a) They were elected by the Indian ruler’s council
(b) They commanded the local army of the princely state
(c) They influenced the internal and external policy of the state without being its ruler
(d) They collected taxes on behalf of the Mughal Emperor
Answer: (c) They influenced the internal and external policy of the state without being its ruler
Q. The system of Subsidiary Alliance was introduced in India by:
(a) Lord Cornwallis
(b) Lord Dalhousie
(c) Lord Wellesley
(d) Warren Hastings
Answer: (c) Lord Wellesley (1798-1805)
Q. Under the Subsidiary Alliance system, Indian rulers were required to:
1. Maintain a British force in their territory at their own expense.
2. Not employ any European other than the British without Company’s permission.
3. Accept a British Resident at their court.
4. Surrender their foreign policy to the Company.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 4 only
Answer: (c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q. Which of the following correctly matches the state and year of acceptance of Subsidiary Alliance?
(a) Hyderabad – 1798
(b) Mysore – 1799
(c) Awadh – 1801
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Q. Match the following Anglo–Mysore Wars with the treaties that ended them:
List I (War)
A. First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-69)
B. Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84)
C. Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-92)
D. Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799)
List II (Treaty)
1. Treaty of Madras
2. Treaty of Mangalore
3. Treaty of Seringapatam
4. No treaty (Tipu Sultan killed, Mysore annexed)
Options:
(a) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4
(b) A–2, B–1, C–3, D–4
(c) A–3, B–2, C–1, D–4
(d) A–1, B–3, C–2, D–4
Answer: (a) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4
Q. After the death of Tipu Sultan in 1799, which dynasty was restored to rule Mysore under British supervision?
(a) Mughal dynasty
(b) Wodeyar dynasty
(c) Maratha dynasty
(d) Nawab dynasty of Awadh
Answer: (b) Wodeyar dynasty
Q. Match the following Maratha chiefs with their centres:
1. Gaekwad – (a) Gwalior
2. Scindia – (b) Nagpur
3. Holkar – (c) Indore
4. Bhonsle – (d) Baroda
Options:
A) 1-d, 2-a, 3-c, 4-b
B) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d
C) 1-b, 2-d, 3-a, 4-c
D) 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a
Answer: A) 1-d, 2-a, 3-c, 4-b
Q. Match the Anglo-Maratha Wars with their outcomes/treaties:
List I (War)
A. First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782)
B. Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805)
C. Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818)
D. Treaty of Bassein (1802)
List II (Outcome/Treaty)
1. End of Maratha Confederacy & abolition of Peshwaship
2. Treaty of Salbai
3. Led to outbreak of Second Anglo-Maratha War
4. British supremacy established in large parts of India
Options:
a) A–2, B–4, C–1, D–3
b) A–3, B–2, C–4, D–1
c) A–4, B–3, C–2, D–1
d) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4
Answer: a) A–2, B–4, C–1, D–3
Explanation:
• First Anglo-Maratha War → Treaty of Salbai (1782)
• Second Anglo-Maratha War → British supremacy over Maratha chiefs (Scindias, Holkars, Bhonsles)
• Third Anglo-Maratha War → End of Maratha Confederacy & Peshwa abolished (1818)
• Treaty of Bassein (1802) → Sparked the Second Anglo-Maratha War
Q. Who was the last Peshwa of the Marathas, defeated in the Third Anglo-Maratha War?
a) Nana Saheb
b) Baji Rao II
c) Madhav Rao II
d) Raghunath Rao
Answer: b) Baji Rao II
Explanation: Baji Rao II was the last Peshwa. After defeat, he was exiled to Bithoor with a pension.
Q. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War, what happened to Peshwa Baji Rao II?
a) He was executed by the British
b) He was made ruler of Satara
c) He was abolished as Peshwa and sent to Bithoor on pension
d) He was allowed to continue ruling Pune under British supervision
Answer: c) He was abolished as Peshwa and sent to Bithoor on pension
Explanation: The office of the Peshwa was abolished in 1818. Baji Rao II was pensioned off and sent to live in Bithoor near Kanpur.
Q. The British claim of paramountcy in India meant:
a) The British recognized the sovereignty of Indian rulers but acted as mediators in disputes
b) The British considered themselves as the supreme authority over all Indian states and rulers
c) Indian rulers were allowed to govern independently without interference
d) The Mughal Emperor was accepted as the paramount power, with British acting under him
Answer: b) The British considered themselves as the supreme authority over all Indian states and rulers
Q. Who first initiated the British claim to Paramountcy in India?
a) Warren Hastings
b) Lord Wellesley
c) Lord Hastings
d) Lord Dalhousie
Answer: c) Lord Hastings (1813- 1823)
Q. Arrange the following events related to the annexation of Kittur in chronological order:
1. Death of the ruler of Kittur without a natural heir
2. Rani Chennamma adopts a son as successor
3. British refuse to recognize the adoption (Doctrine of Lapse)
4. Rani Chennamma leads an armed rebellion against the British
5. British defeat Kittur forces and annex the state
Options:
a) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5
b) 2 – 1 – 3 – 4 – 5
c) 1 – 3 – 2 – 4 – 5
d) 2 – 3 – 1 – 4 – 5
Answer: a) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5
Q. What did Sangolli Rayanna do after Rani Chennamma was captured by the British?
a) Surrendered peacefully
b) Continued guerrilla warfare against the British
c) Signed a treaty with the British
d) Moved to the Maratha kingdom
Answer: b) Continued guerrilla warfare against the British
Q. Why did the British want to annex Afghanistan in the 19th century?
a) To gain access to Indian Ocean trade routes
b) To prevent Russian influence and protect India’s northwest frontier (The “Great Game”)
c) To convert Afghans to Christianity
d) To acquire fertile agricultural land for cash crops
Answer: b) To prevent Russian influence and protect India’s northwest frontier (The “Great Game”)
Q. What was the main reason for the British invasion of Afghanistan in 1839?
a) To acquire fertile land for cultivation
b) To install Shah Shujah as ruler and prevent Russian influence
c) To spread Christianity
d) To annex Afghanistan permanently
Answer: b) To install Shah Shujah as ruler and prevent Russian influence
Q. The Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880) was triggered by:
a) Afghan attack on British India
b) Russian diplomatic mission to Kabul and British fear of Russian influence
c) Annexation of Kandahar by the British
d) Treaty of Gandamak
Answer: b) Russian diplomatic mission to Kabul and British fear of Russian influenc
Q. When did Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire, die?
a) 1820
b) 1839
c) 1845
d) 1857
Answer: b) 1839
Q. Match the Anglo-Sikh Wars with their year and outcome:
List I (War)
A. First Anglo-Sikh War
B. Second Anglo-Sikh War
List II (Year)
1. 1848–1849
2. 1845–1846
List III (Outcome)
a) British annexed Punjab; end of Sikh sovereignty
b) British victory; Treaty of Lahore; partial control over Sikh territories
Options:
a) A–2–b, B–1–a
b) A–1–a, B–2–b
c) A–2–a, B–1–b
d) A–1–b, B–2–a
Answer: a) A–2–b, B–1–a
Q. Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse in British India?
a) Lord Wellesley
b) Lord Dalhousie
c) Lord Hastings
d) Lord Cornwallis
Answer: b) Lord Dalhousie
Q. Consider the following statements about the Doctrine of Lapse:
1. It was introduced by Lord Dalhousie.
2. According to it, if a ruler died without a natural heir, the British could annex the state.
3. It was used to annex Jhansi, Satara, Nagpur, and Kittur.
4. It was accepted peacefully by all Indian rulers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1, 2, and 3 only
b) 1 and 4 only
c) 2 and 4 only
d) All of the above
Answer: a) 1, 2, and 3 only
Q. Match the Indian states annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse with the year of annexation:
A. Satara 1. 1852
B. Sambalpur 2. 1848
C. Nagpur 3.1850
D. Udaipur 4. 1853
E. Jhansi 5. 1854
Options:
a) A–2, B–4, C–3, D–5 E– 1
b) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4 E– 5
c) A–3, B–4, C–2, D–1 E– 5
d) A–2, B–3, C–4, D–1 E– 5
Answer: d) A–2, B–3, C–4, D–1 E– 5
Q. Why did the British annex Awadh in 1856?
a) The Nawab died without a male heir
b) The Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was accused of misgovernance and maladministration
c) Awadh signed a Subsidiary Alliance with the British
d) The people of Awadh invited the British to take over
Answer: b) The Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was accused of misgovernance and maladministration
Explanation: The British annexed Awadh in 1856 citing misgovernance under Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.
Q. Who served as the Governor-General of India from 1773 to 1785?
a) Lord Wellesley
b) Warren Hastings
c) Lord Cornwallis
d) Lord Dalhousie
Answer: b) Warren Hastings
Q. Which of the following was a provision of the Regulating Act of 1773?
a) It created the office of Governor-General of Bengal.
b) It established a Supreme Council to assist the Governor-General.
c) It established a Supreme Court in Calcutta.
d) All of the above.
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The Regulating Act introduced the Governor-General of Bengal, assisted by a council, and established a Supreme Court at Calcutta to oversee administration and justice.
Q. What was the significance of the Adalat system introduced by Hastings?
a) It replaced Mughal judicial system entirely with British law
b) It created separate courts for civil and criminal cases
c) It applied only to Europeans in India
d) It allowed unlimited autonomy to Company officials
Answer: b) It created separate courts for civil and criminal cases
Explanation: The system introduced civil and criminal courts, creating a structured judicial process while respecting Hindu and Muslim laws for Indians.
Q. During British India, who were Qazi and Mufti?
a) Qazi was a revenue collector, and Mufti was a village head
b) Qazi was a judge for Muslim personal law, and Mufti was a religious scholar giving legal opinions
c) Both were British-appointed administrative officers
d) Qazi and Mufti were military leaders under the East India Company
Answer: b) Qazi was a judge for Muslim personal law, and Mufti was a religious scholar giving legal opinions
Q. What was the main purpose of codifying Hindu and Muslim laws under the British?
a) To annex Indian states
b) To ensure uniform administration of civil justice in courts
c) To convert Indians to Christianity
d) To implement Subsidiary Alliances
Answer: b) To ensure uniform administration of civil justice in courts
Explanation: Codification allowed the British to apply Hindu and Muslim personal laws systematically in civil courts while respecting local traditions.
Q. What were the Dharmashastras?
a) Texts on military strategy
b) Texts on social rules and codes of behaviour
c) Texts on astronomy and mathematics
d) Texts on trade and commerce
Answer: b) Texts on social rules and codes of behaviour.
Q. When did the eleven pandits were asked to compile a digest of Hindu laws
a) 1772
b) 1776
c) 1775
d) 1800
Answer: c) 1775
Q. Who translated the Hindu law digest (Dharmashastra) into English during British India?
a) N.B Halhed
b) Warren Hastings
c) James Princep
d) Lord Cornwallis
Answer: a) N.B Halhed
Q. By which year were Muslim laws compiled for application in British Indian courts?
a) 1772
b) 1782
c) 1778
d) 1800
Answer: c) 1778
Q. After the Regulating Act of 1773, who became the principal judicial figure at the district level in British India?
a) Governor-General
b) Collector
c) District Judge
d) Qazi
Answer: b) Collector
The Collector became the principal official at the district level, responsible for revenue collection, law and order, and judicial administration with the help of judges, police officers and darogas
Q. The Sadar Nizamat Adalat was the highest court of appeal in matters of
a) Revenue disputes
b) Criminal cases
c) Civil cases
d) Land settlements
Answer: b) Criminal cases
Q. The Sadar Nizamat Adalat was located at
a) Calcutta
b) Madras
c) Patna
d) Delhi
Answer: a) Calcutta
Q. After 1772, the East India Company introduced changes in its army mainly to:
a) Reduce dependence on Indian soldiers
b) Improve discipline and efficiency
c) Cut down military expenditure
d) Train sepoys in European warfare
Answer: b) Improve discipline and efficiency
Q. One of the major reforms introduced in the Company’s army after 1772 was:
a) Abolition of European officers
b) Introduction of Regular Drills and Uniforms
c) Recruitment of only Europeans
d) Replacement of infantry with cavalry
Answer: b) Introduction of Regular Drills and Uniforms
Q. Consider the following statements about East India Company’s army reforms after 1772:
1. Warren Hastings reorganized the Company’s army into regular brigades.
2. Sepoys were trained in European-style drill, discipline, and use of modern firearms.
3. Indian soldiers were allowed to rise to the highest officer ranks in the Company’s army.
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: a) 1 and 2 only
Q. Which rule of the East India Company’s army created resentment among Indian sepoys?
a) Restriction on caste-based practices like wearing sacred threads and keeping beards
b) Equal promotion opportunities with Europeans
c) Abolition of uniforms
d) Freedom to worship during duty
Answer: a) Restriction on caste-based practices like wearing sacred threads and keeping beards
Q. In building a professional force after 1772, the East India Company ignored:
a) Caste and religious sensitivities of sepoys
b) Regular drill and training
c) Introduction of uniforms and weapons
d) Establishment of cantonments
Answer: a) Caste and religious sensitivities of sepoys
Q. Match the following
A. Sawars
B. Infantry
C. Musket
D. Matchlock
1. Soldiers on foot
2. Trained soldiers on horseback
3. An early type of gun in which powder was ignited by a match
4. A heavy gun used by the soldier
Options:
a) A–2, B–1, C–4, D–3
b) A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4
c) A–3, B–4, C–2, D–1
d) A–2, B–3, C–4, D–1
Answer: a) A–2, B–1, C–4, D–3
Q. Match the following
1. Diwani A. Tipu Sultan
2. Tiger of Mysore B. Right to Collect land revenue
3. Faujdari adalat C. Sepoy
4. Rani Channamma D. Criminal court
5. Siphai E. led and anti-British movement in Kitoor
Options:
A). 1–C, 2–B, 3–D, 4–A, 5–E
B). 1–B, 2–A, 3–C, 4–D, 5–E
C). 1–D, 2–B, 3–E, 4–C, 5–A
D). 1–B, 2–A, 3–D, 4–E, 5–C
Answer: D). 1–B, 2–A, 3–D, 4–E, 5–C