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Modern History

320 questions asked in UPSC Prelims.

2011 · Q55Modern HistoryPeasant, Tribal & Labour Movementsmoderate

Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century ?

  1. (a)Introduction of a new system of land revenue and taxation of tribal products
  2. (b)Influence of foreign religious missionaries in tribal areas
  3. (c)Rise of a large number of money lenders, traders and revenue farmers as middlemen in tribal areas
  4. (d)The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities
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Official answer(d) The complete disruption of the old agrarian order of the tribal communities

2011 · Q63Modern HistoryEarly Nationalism & Indian National Congress (1885-1915)moderate

What was the purpose with which Sir William Wedderburn and W. S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893?

  1. (a)To agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons
  2. (b)To campaign for the entry of Indians into the Imperial Judiciary
  3. (c)To facilitate a discussion on India's Independence in the British Parliament
  4. (d)To agitate for the entry of eminent Indians into the British Parliament
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Official answer(a) To agitate for Indian political reforms in the House of Commons

2011 · Q67Modern HistoryKey Personalities & Ideologiesmoderate

Mahatma Gandhi said that some of his deepest convictions were reflected in a book titled "Unto this Last" and the book transformed his life. What was the message from the book that transformed Mahatma Gandhi ?

  1. (a)Uplifting the oppressed and poor is the moral responsibility of an educated man
  2. (b)The good of individual is contained in the good of all
  3. (c)The life of celibacy and spiritual pursuit are essential for a noble life
  4. (d)All the statements (a), (b) and (c) are correct in this context
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Official answer(b) The good of individual is contained in the good of all

2011 · Q70Modern HistoryConstitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947)moderate

With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru report? 1. Complete Independence for India. 2. Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities. 3. Provision of fundamental rights for the people of India in the Constitution. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only

2010 · Q51Modern HistoryConstitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947)easy

With reference to Simon Commission’s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. (a)It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces
  2. (b)It proposed the setting up of inter-provincial council under the Home Department
  3. (c)It suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the Centre
  4. (d)It recommended the creation of Indian Police Service, with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits
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Official answer(a) It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces

2010 · Q52Modern HistoryEarly Nationalism & Indian National Congress (1885-1915)moderate

Four resolutions were passed at the famous Calcutta session of Indian National Congress in 1906. The question of either retention OR of rejection of these four resolutions became the cause of a split in Congress at the next Congress session held in Surat in 1907. Which one of the following was not one of those resolutions?

  1. (a)Annulment of partition of Bengal
  2. (b)Boycott
  3. (c)National education
  4. (d)Swadeshi
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Official answer(a) Annulment of partition of Bengal

2010 · Q54Modern HistoryConstitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947)moderate

After Quit India Movement, C. Rajagopalachari issued a pamphlet entitled "The Way Out". Which one of the following was a proposal in this pamphlet?

  1. (a)The establishment of a “War Advisory Council” composed of representatives of British India and the Indian States
  2. (b)Reconstitution of the Central Executive Council in such a way that all its members, except the Governor General and the Commander-in-Chief should be Indian leaders
  3. (c)Fresh elections to the Central and Provincial Legislatures to be held at the end of 1945 and the Constitution making body to be convened as soon as possible
  4. (d)A solution for the constitutional deadlock
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Official answer(d) A solution for the constitutional deadlock

2010 · Q83Modern HistoryEarly Nationalism & Indian National Congress (1885-1915)easy

What was the immediate cause for the launch of the Swadeshi movement?

  1. (a)The partition of Bengal done by Lord Curzon
  2. (b)A sentence of 18 months rigorous imprisonment imposed on Lokmanya Tilak
  3. (c)The arrest and deportation of Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh; and passing of the Punjab Colonization Bill
  4. (d)Death sentence pronounced on the Chapekar brothers
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Official answer(a) The partition of Bengal done by Lord Curzon

2010 · Q85Modern HistoryBritish Administration & Economic Policiesmoderate

By a regulation in 1793, the District Collector was deprived of his judicial powers and made the collecting agent only. What was the reason for such regulation?

  1. (a)Lord Cornwallis felt that the District Collector's efficiency of revenue collection would enormously increase without the burden of other work
  2. (b)Lord Cornwallis felt that Judicial power should compulsorily be in the hands of Europeans while Indians can be given the job of revenue collection in the districts
  3. (c)Lord Cornwallis was alarmed at the extent of power concentrated in the District Collector and felt that such absolute power was undesirable in one person
  4. (d)The judicial work demanded a deep knowledge of India and a good training in law and Lord Cornwallis felt that District Collector should be only a revenue collector
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Official answer(c) Lord Cornwallis was alarmed at the extent of power concentrated in the District Collector and felt that such absolute power was undesirable in one person

2010 · Q139Modern HistoryAdvent Of Europeans & British Expansionmoderate

What was the immediate reason for Ahmad Shah Abdali to invade India and fight the Third Battle of Panipat ?

  1. (a)He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore
  2. (b)The frustrated governor of Jullundhar Adina Beg Khan invited him to invade Punjab
  3. (c)He wanted to punish Mughal administration for non-payment of the revenues of the Chahar Mahal (Gujarat, Aurangabad, Sialkot and Pasrur)
  4. (d)He wanted to annex all the fertile plains of Punjab up to the borders of Delhi to his kingdom
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Official answer(a) He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore

2009 · Q48Modern HistoryConstitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947)moderate

Consider the following statements : 1. The discussions in the Third Round Table Conference eventually led to the passing of the Government of India Act of 1935. 2. The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for the establishment of an All India Federation to be based on a Union of the provinces of British India and the Princely States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2