Assam History MCQs

COLONIAL ASSAM (1826–1947)

Topic: British Annexation of Assam

(APSC CCE & Other Competitive Examinations)

Q1. The British annexation of Assam formally began in:

A. 1817
B. 1821
C. 1826
D. 1838

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The year 1826 marks the formal beginning of British rule in Assam after the Treaty of Yandabo.

Q2. The Treaty of Yandabo was signed after which war?

A. Anglo-Ahom War
B. Anglo-Assamese War
C. First Anglo-Burmese War
D. Anglo-Mughal War

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826) ended with the Treaty of Yandabo, which changed Assam’s political fate.

Q3. The Treaty of Yandabo was signed between:

A. Ahoms and British
B. British and Burmese
C. Ahoms and Burmese
D. British and Mughals

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The treaty was signed between the British East India Company and Burma (Myanmar).

Q4. As per the Treaty of Yandabo, Burma agreed to:

A. Rule Assam jointly
B. Withdraw from Assam
C. Annex Upper Assam
D. Control trade routes

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Burma renounced all claims over Assam, paving the way for British control.

Q5. The immediate cause of British intervention in Assam was:

A. Ahom weakness alone
B. Burmese invasion of Assam
C. Trade disputes
D. Religious conflict

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Repeated Burmese invasions (1817–1824) destabilized Assam and alarmed the British.

Q6. The period of Burmese occupation in Assam is remembered as:

A. Rangpur Yug
B. Paik Yug
C. Maanar Din
D. Company Raj

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Burmese rule is remembered as “Maanar Din”, symbolizing suffering and devastation.

Q7. Which Ahom ruler sought British help against the Burmese?

A. Gaurinath Singha
B. Kamaleswar Singha
C. Chandrakanta Singha
D. Purandar Singha

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Chandrakanta Singha sought British assistance, indirectly facilitating annexation.

Q8. Initially, the British annexed which part of Assam in 1826?

A. Lower Assam only
B. Upper Assam only
C. Entire Assam
D. Barak Valley only

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The British first took control of Upper Assam after the treaty.

Q9. Who was installed as a nominal ruler of Upper Assam after 1826?

A. Chandrakanta Singha
B. Kamaleswar Singha
C. Purandar Singha
D. Gaurinath Singha

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Purandar Singha was made a tributary ruler under British supervision.

Q10. Purandar Singha’s rule ended because of:

A. Popular revolt
B. Administrative inefficiency
C. Burmese invasion
D. Ahom resistance

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The British removed him in 1838, citing misgovernance.

Q11. After 1838, Upper Assam became:

A. A princely state
B. A British province
C. A Mughal territory
D. A Burmese colony

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Upper Assam was placed under direct British administration.

Q12. Lower Assam came under British control in:

A. 1826
B. 1833
C. 1838
D. 1858

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Lower Assam was annexed in 1833 after the Treaty of Yandabo arrangements.

Q13. Which region was attached to Assam under British rule in 1832?

A. Manipur
B. Cachar
C. Tripura
D. Jaintia Hills

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Cachar was annexed in 1832 following internal instability.

Q14. Jaintia Hills were annexed by the British in:

A. 1826
B. 1832
C. 1835
D. 1841

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Jaintia Hills were annexed in 1835.

Q15. The annexation of Assam marked the end of:

A. Mughal influence
B. Koch rule
C. Ahom sovereignty
D. Burmese occupation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
British annexation ended over 600 years of Ahom rule.

Q16. The British initially administered Assam as part of:

A. Bengal Presidency
B. Madras Presidency
C. Bombay Presidency
D. North-West Provinces

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:
Assam was placed under the Bengal Presidency for administrative convenience.

Q17. The British annexation policy in Assam was driven mainly by:

A. Religious motives
B. Strategic and commercial interests
C. Cultural exchange
D. Missionary pressure

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Assam’s strategic location and economic potential attracted British interest.

Q18. Which natural resource later increased British interest in Assam?

A. Coal
B. Tea
C. Petroleum
D. Limestone

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Discovery of tea plantations made Assam economically important.

Q19. The annexation of Assam was part of British expansion in:

A. Southern India
B. Eastern India
C. Central India
D. Western India

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Assam became part of British eastern frontier expansion.

Q20. Which administrative change followed British annexation?

A. Revival of Paik system
B. Introduction of modern bureaucracy
C. Tribal self-rule
D. Military dictatorship

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The British introduced bureaucratic administration and revenue systems.

Q21. The traditional Paik system was:

A. Strengthened
B. Retained unchanged
C. Gradually abolished
D. Replaced by zamindari only

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
British policies made the Paik system obsolete.

Q22. The annexation of Assam resulted in:

A. Political stability
B. Economic self-sufficiency
C. Colonial exploitation
D. Cultural isolation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
British rule introduced colonial exploitation of land and resources.

Q23. Which rebellion reflected early resistance to British annexation?

A. Moamoria rebellion
B. Phulaguri Dhawa
C. Indian Revolt of 1857
D. Saraighat revolt

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The Phulaguri Dhawa (1861) reflected peasant resentment against colonial policies.

Q24. British annexation changed Assam’s external relations by:

A. Isolating it
B. Integrating it with global trade
C. Ending all trade
D. Limiting communication

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Assam was linked to colonial and global trade networks.

Q25. Which class benefited initially from British annexation?

A. Paiks
B. Peasantry
C. European planters
D. Artisans

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
European tea planters gained the most during early colonial rule.

Q26. The British annexation of Assam represents which phase of Indian history?

A. Ancient
B. Medieval
C. Early colonial
D. Post-independence

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
It marks the early colonial phase in Assam’s history.

Q27. The annexation of Assam had long-term effects such as:

A. Revival of Ahom rule
B. Growth of nationalism
C. Decline of education
D. End of agriculture

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Colonial rule later stimulated political awareness and nationalism.

Q28. Which British policy symbolized complete control over Assam?

A. Permanent Settlement
B. Direct administration after 1838
C. Military alliance
D. Missionary activity

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Direct rule after 1838 marked full British control.

Q29. The annexation of Assam connected it administratively with:

A. Burma
B. Bengal
C. Punjab
D. Madras

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Assam was administered from Bengal, influencing governance and language policy.

Q30. The historical significance of British annexation of Assam lies in the fact that it:

A. Ended all conflicts
B. Began modern administration
C. Integrated Assam into colonial India
D. Restored indigenous rule

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Annexation integrated Assam into British colonial India, shaping its modern history.

✅ Exam Relevance Note

These MCQs are strictly aligned with the APSC CCE syllabus and are equally relevant for UPSC, Assam Police, TET, Grade III/IV, Forest, Banking, and other competitive examinations focusing on Colonial Assam History.

• British rule in Assam MCQs

• Annexation of Assam 1826 MCQs

• Treaty of Yandabo Assam questions

• Colonial Assam history MCQs

• APSC Assam History colonial period MCQs