Modern Indian History Practice Set with Answers
Modern Indian History Practice Set with Answers – 30 Important MCQs with Detailed Explanations
The following 30 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are designed for UPSC Civil Services, SSC CGL/CHSL, Banking (IBPS, SBI, RBI), Railways, State PSC, CDS, CAPF, Insurance, CUET, and other competitive examinations in India. Each question includes the correct answer along with a concept-clearing, easy-to-understand explanation.
1. Who was the Governor-General of India during the Revolt of 1857?
A. Lord Dalhousie
B. Lord Canning
C. Lord Curzon
D. Lord Ripon
✅ Answer: B. Lord Canning
Explanation:
The Revolt of 1857 took place during the tenure of Lord Canning, who later became the first Viceroy of India after the Government of India Act, 1858 transferred power from the East India Company to the British Crown.
Option Analysis
- A. Lord Dalhousie – Introduced the Doctrine of Lapse before the revolt.
- B. Lord Canning – Correct.
- C. Lord Curzon – Associated with the Partition of Bengal (1905).
- D. Lord Ripon – Known for local self-government reforms.
2. The Government of India Act, 1858 resulted in:
A. Formation of the Indian National Congress
B. End of East India Company rule
C. Introduction of Dyarchy
D. Partition of Bengal
✅ Answer: B. End of East India Company rule
Explanation:
The Act abolished the rule of the East India Company and transferred the administration of India directly to the British Crown.
3. The Indian National Congress was founded in:
A. 1857
B. 1885
C. 1905
D. 1919
✅ Answer: B. 1885
Explanation:
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on 28 December 1885 by A. O. Hume with W. C. Bonnerjee as its first President.
4. Who is known as the “Grand Old Man of India”?
A. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
B. Dadabhai Naoroji
C. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
D. Surendranath Banerjee
✅ Answer: B. Dadabhai Naoroji
Explanation:
Dadabhai Naoroji earned this title and is famous for the Drain Theory, which explained the economic exploitation of India by Britain.
5. The Partition of Bengal was carried out in:
A. 1885
B. 1905
C. 1911
D. 1920
✅ Answer: B. 1905
Explanation:
Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal in 1905, triggering the Swadeshi and Boycott Movements.
6. The Swadeshi Movement promoted:
A. Foreign investment
B. Indigenous goods and boycott of foreign goods
C. Military reforms
D. Separate electorates
✅ Answer: B. Indigenous goods and boycott of foreign goods
Explanation:
The movement encouraged Indians to use locally made products and reject British imports.
7. “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it” was declared by:
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C. Bipin Chandra Pal
D. Lala Lajpat Rai
✅ Answer: B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Explanation:
Tilak popularised this slogan, making Swaraj (self-rule) the central objective of the national movement.
8. The Surat Split in the Indian National Congress occurred in:
A. 1905
B. 1907
C. 1916
D. 1920
✅ Answer: B. 1907
Explanation:
The Congress split into Moderates and Extremists at the Surat Session due to differences over methods of protest.
9. The Home Rule Movement was launched by:
A. Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C. Subhas Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh
D. Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji
✅ Answer: B. Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Explanation:
The movement, launched in 1916, demanded self-government for India within the British Empire.
10. The Lucknow Pact (1916) was signed between:
A. Congress and British Government
B. Congress and Muslim League
C. Congress and Revolutionaries
D. Muslim League and British Government
✅ Answer: B. Congress and Muslim League
Explanation:
The Lucknow Pact represented a significant phase of cooperation between the two organisations.
11. The Rowlatt Act was passed in:
A. 1909
B. 1919
C. 1935
D. 1942
✅ Answer: B. 1919
Explanation:
The Act authorised detention without trial and severely curtailed civil liberties, leading to widespread protests.
12. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place on:
A. 13 April 1919
B. 15 August 1947
C. 8 August 1942
D. 26 January 1930
✅ Answer: A. 13 April 1919
Explanation:
General Reginald Dyer ordered troops to fire on an unarmed gathering in Amritsar, killing and injuring hundreds.
13. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in:
A. 1915
B. 1920
C. 1930
D. 1942
✅ Answer: B. 1920
Explanation:
Mahatma Gandhi launched this nationwide movement based on the principles of non-violence and non-cooperation.
14. Which incident led Gandhi to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement?
A. Simon Commission
B. Chauri Chaura Incident
C. Dandi March
D. Jallianwala Bagh
✅ Answer: B. Chauri Chaura Incident
Explanation:
Following the violent incident at Chauri Chaura in 1922, Gandhi suspended the movement to uphold non-violence.
15. The Civil Disobedience Movement began with:
A. Bardoli Satyagraha
B. Dandi (Salt) March
C. Quit India Movement
D. Swadeshi Movement
✅ Answer: B. Dandi (Salt) March
Explanation:
The Salt March of 1930 marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement against British salt laws.
16. The Lahore Session (1929) of the Congress declared:
A. Dominion Status
B. Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence)
C. Separate Electorates
D. Home Rule
✅ Answer: B. Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence)
Explanation:
Under Jawaharlal Nehru’s presidency, the Congress adopted Complete Independence as its ultimate goal.
17. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in:
A. 1931
B. 1929
C. 1935
D. 1942
✅ Answer: A. 1931
Explanation:
The agreement temporarily suspended the Civil Disobedience Movement and allowed Gandhi to attend the Second Round Table Conference.
18. Who represented the Indian National Congress at the Second Round Table Conference?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Mahatma Gandhi
C. B. R. Ambedkar
D. Vallabhbhai Patel
✅ Answer: B. Mahatma Gandhi
Explanation:
Gandhi attended the conference in London in 1931 as the sole representative of the Congress.
19. The Government of India Act, 1935 introduced:
A. Complete Independence
B. Provincial Autonomy
C. Republic of India
D. Dominion Status
✅ Answer: B. Provincial Autonomy
Explanation:
The Act granted greater autonomy to provinces and laid the foundation for India’s later constitutional framework.
20. The Quit India Movement was launched in:
A. 1935
B. 1942
C. 1945
D. 1947
✅ Answer: B. 1942
Explanation:
The movement was launched on 8 August 1942, demanding an immediate end to British rule.
21. Which slogan became associated with the Quit India Movement?
A. Jai Hind
B. Do or Die
C. Vande Mataram
D. Inquilab Zindabad
✅ Answer: B. Do or Die
Explanation:
Gandhi’s “Do or Die” call inspired millions to participate in the movement.
22. The Indian National Army (INA) was reorganised by:
A. Bhagat Singh
B. Subhas Chandra Bose
C. Chandrashekhar Azad
D. Jawaharlal Nehru
✅ Answer: B. Subhas Chandra Bose
Explanation:
Subhas Chandra Bose revitalised the INA to fight for India’s independence.
23. The slogan “Jai Hind” is associated with:
A. Bhagat Singh
B. Subhas Chandra Bose
C. Mahatma Gandhi
D. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
✅ Answer: B. Subhas Chandra Bose
Explanation:
Subhas Chandra Bose popularised “Jai Hind,” which later became a national salutation.
24. Who founded the Forward Bloc?
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Subhas Chandra Bose
C. Vallabhbhai Patel
D. Jawaharlal Nehru
✅ Answer: B. Subhas Chandra Bose
Explanation:
The Forward Bloc was established by Bose in 1939 after he resigned from the Congress presidency.
25. Which Cabinet Mission came to India in:
A. 1930
B. 1942
C. 1946
D. 1947
✅ Answer: C. 1946
Explanation:
The Cabinet Mission proposed a constitutional framework for transferring power to Indian leaders.
26. India became independent on:
A. 26 January 1950
B. 15 August 1947
C. 26 November 1949
D. 23 March 1931
✅ Answer: B. 15 August 1947
Explanation:
British rule ended on 15 August 1947, marking the birth of independent India.
27. The Constituent Assembly first met in:
A. 1945
B. 1946
C. 1947
D. 1950
✅ Answer: B. 1946
Explanation:
The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on 9 December 1946 to draft the Constitution of India.
28. The Constitution of India came into force on:
A. 26 January 1950
B. 15 August 1947
C. 26 November 1949
D. 9 December 1946
✅ Answer: A. 26 January 1950
Explanation:
India became a sovereign democratic republic on 26 January 1950 when the Constitution came into force.
29. Who is regarded as the principal architect of the Constitution of India?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. B. R. Ambedkar
C. Rajendra Prasad
D. Sardar Patel
✅ Answer: B. B. R. Ambedkar
Explanation:
As Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Dr B. R. Ambedkar played the leading role in drafting the Constitution.
30. Which statement best summarises Modern Indian History?
A. It deals only with British wars in India.
B. It includes British expansion, socio-religious reform movements, the rise of Indian nationalism, the freedom struggle, constitutional developments, and India’s transition to independence and a republic.
C. It begins with the Indus Valley Civilisation.
D. It focuses only on the Mughal Empire.
✅ Answer: B. It includes British expansion, socio-religious reform movements, the rise of Indian nationalism, the freedom struggle, constitutional developments, and India’s transition to independence and a republic.
Explanation:
Modern Indian History covers the period from the decline of the Mughal Empire and the expansion of British rule through the Revolt of 1857, socio-religious reform movements, the formation of the Indian National Congress, major nationalist movements, constitutional reforms, Partition, Independence, and the adoption of the Constitution. This period is one of the most important sections in UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, State PSC, CDS, CAPF, and other competitive examinations.
Quick Revision Table
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Revolt of 1857 Governor-General | Lord Canning |
| Government of India Act | 1858 |
| Indian National Congress Founded | 1885 |
| Grand Old Man of India | Dadabhai Naoroji |
| Partition of Bengal | 1905 |
| Surat Split | 1907 |
| Home Rule Movement | Annie Besant & Bal Gangadhar Tilak |
| Lucknow Pact | 1916 |
| Rowlatt Act | 1919 |
| Jallianwala Bagh Massacre | 13 April 1919 |
| Non-Cooperation Movement | 1920 |
| Chauri Chaura Incident | 1922 |
| Civil Disobedience Movement | 1930 |
| Purna Swaraj Resolution | Lahore Session, 1929 |
| Gandhi-Irwin Pact | 1931 |
| Government of India Act | 1935 |
| Quit India Movement | 1942 |
| INA Leader | Subhas Chandra Bose |
| Independence | 15 August 1947 |
| Constitution Enforced | 26 January 1950 |
