Treaty of Yandabo 1826: Causes, Terms and Impact – MCQs

Treaty of Yandabo 1826: Causes, Terms, Provisions and Impact on Assam – MCQs

The Treaty of Yandabo, concluded on 24 February 1826, ended the First Anglo-Burmese War and became a decisive turning point in Assam’s modern political history. The treaty required the Burmese to renounce their claims and abstain from future interference with Assam and its dependencies. Its aftermath marked the beginning of the gradual establishment of British rule in Assam. (Jorhat District)

MCQs with Answers and Explanations

1. On which date was the Treaty of Yandabo concluded?

A. 28 March 1824
B. 24 February 1825
C. 24 February 1826
D. 1 March 1827

Correct Answer: C. 24 February 1826

Explanation:
The Treaty of Yandabo was concluded on 24 February 1826. It formally ended the First Anglo-Burmese War and fundamentally altered the political situation in Assam. The Government of Assam records that the Burmese renounced their claims and agreed to abstain from future interference with Assam and its dependencies. (Jorhat District)

2. The Treaty of Yandabo ended which major conflict?

A. Second Anglo-Burmese War
B. First Anglo-Burmese War
C. Anglo-Nepalese War
D. First Anglo-Maratha War

Correct Answer: B. First Anglo-Burmese War

Explanation:
The First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826) ended with the Treaty of Yandabo. The conflict had developed partly because of Burmese expansion towards the northeastern frontier and British concerns about frontier security. The treaty forced the Burmese to make significant territorial and political concessions. (British Library Archives)

3. Which development immediately preceded the Treaty of Yandabo?

A. Burmese defeat in the First Anglo-Burmese War
B. Battle of Plassey
C. Partition of Bengal
D. First War of Independence

Correct Answer: A. Burmese defeat in the First Anglo-Burmese War

Explanation:
The treaty was the result of the military defeat of Burma during the First Anglo-Burmese War. British forces under General Sir Archibald Campbell conducted campaigns against the Burmese, leading to negotiations and the peace settlement at Yandabo. British archival records contain correspondence concerning the negotiations and conclusion of the treaty. (British Library Archives)

4. Who was the principal British military commander associated with the Treaty of Yandabo?

A. David Scott
B. Sir Archibald Campbell
C. Lord Wellesley
D. Robert Clive

Correct Answer: B. Sir Archibald Campbell

Explanation:
Brigadier-General Sir Archibald Campbell was the British commander-in-chief of the forces in Burma during the First Anglo-Burmese War. British Library archival records specifically document correspondence involving Campbell during the negotiations leading to the Treaty of Yandabo. (British Library Archives)

5. Which Burmese political authority was compelled to accept the Treaty of Yandabo?

A. Konbaung monarchy
B. Mughal Empire
C. Maratha Confederacy
D. Ahom monarchy

Correct Answer: A. Konbaung monarchy

Explanation:
The Burmese Empire was ruled by the Konbaung dynasty during the First Anglo-Burmese War. The Burmese court was compelled to accept the peace settlement after military defeats. The treaty significantly restricted Burmese influence westward and ended its claims to territories including Assam.

6. What was the most important provision of the Treaty of Yandabo concerning Assam?

A. Burma acquired Assam permanently
B. Burma renounced its claims and agreed not to interfere in Assam
C. Assam was returned to the Burmese king
D. Assam became a French protectorate

Correct Answer: B. Burma renounced its claims and agreed not to interfere in Assam

Explanation:
For Assam, one of the treaty’s most consequential provisions was that the Burmese renounced all claims and agreed to abstain from future interference with the principality of Assam and its dependencies. This removed Burmese political authority as the principal external obstacle to British control of the region. (Jorhat District)

7. Which statement best describes the significance of the Treaty of Yandabo for Assam?

A. It restored the Ahom kingdom to its former power
B. It ended Burmese interference and opened the way for British rule
C. It established an independent Assamese republic
D. It transferred Assam to Nepal

Correct Answer: B. It ended Burmese interference and opened the way for British rule

Explanation:
The treaty was a major turning point because it removed Burmese claims over Assam. After the First Burmese War ended in 1826, Assam gradually came under British rule. Thus, Yandabo is closely associated with the transition from Burmese domination to British political control. (Assam Archives)

8. Which year is regarded as the beginning of British rule in Assam following the First Burmese War?

A. 1819
B. 1822
C. 1826
D. 1833

Correct Answer: C. 1826

Explanation:
The year 1826 marks the beginning of the British political takeover of Assam after the conclusion of the First Anglo-Burmese War. The Directorate of Archives, Government of Assam, states that at the end of the First Burmese War in 1826, the whole of Assam gradually came under British rule. (Assam Archives)

9. Which political power had dominated Assam immediately before the British takeover?

A. Burmese Empire
B. Mughal Empire
C. Maratha Confederacy
D. Sikh Empire

Correct Answer: A. Burmese Empire

Explanation:
The Burmese had established effective dominance over Assam during the early nineteenth century following the decline of the Ahom kingdom. Their occupation was one of the principal factors that brought Assam into the Anglo-Burmese conflict. British military intervention subsequently displaced Burmese authority.

10. Which internal development had previously weakened the Ahom state and made Assam vulnerable to Burmese intervention?

A. Moamoria Rebellion
B. Revolt of 1857
C. Indigo Revolt
D. Santhal Rebellion

Correct Answer: A. Moamoria Rebellion

Explanation:
The Moamoria Rebellion severely weakened the Ahom state over an extended period. Political instability, demographic disruption and administrative difficulties reduced the kingdom’s capacity to respond effectively to external threats. The subsequent Burmese intervention occurred against this background of internal weakness.

11. Which Ahom ruler attempted to recover his kingdom from Burmese control before the British intervention?

A. Chandrakanta Singha
B. Rudra Singha
C. Gadadhar Singha
D. Pramatta Singha

Correct Answer: A. Chandrakanta Singha

Explanation:
Chandrakanta Singha attempted to regain his position after Burmese intervention. His struggles against Burmese forces illustrate the political instability of Assam immediately before British intervention. His efforts ultimately failed, and Burmese control continued until the British military campaign.

12. Which of the following was NOT a direct consequence of the Treaty of Yandabo?

A. End of Burmese claims over Assam
B. Beginning of British political dominance in Assam
C. End of the First Anglo-Burmese War
D. Immediate establishment of Assam as a separate Chief Commissionership

Correct Answer: D. Immediate establishment of Assam as a separate Chief Commissionership

Explanation:
Assam did not become a separate Chief Commissionership immediately after Yandabo. That administrative change came much later, in 1874, when Assam was detached from the administrative control of Bengal. The treaty instead initiated the broader transition towards British administration. (Assam Archives)

13. Who became an important British administrator in Assam shortly after the Treaty of Yandabo?

A. David Scott
B. Lord Curzon
C. Lord Ripon
D. Warren Hastings

Correct Answer: A. David Scott

Explanation:
David Scott became a key figure in the early British administration of Assam. On 28 February 1826, he was appointed the first Senior Commissioner of Western Assam and Agent to the Governor-General, with headquarters at Guwahati. (Jorhat District)

14. Which administrative arrangement followed the British takeover of Assam in 1826?

A. Assam immediately became a separate province
B. The Brahmaputra Valley was initially divided into western and eastern administrative areas
C. Assam was immediately merged with Bombay Presidency
D. Assam was administered from Madras

Correct Answer: B. The Brahmaputra Valley was initially divided into western and eastern administrative areas

Explanation:
After the Burmese were expelled, the British initially divided the Brahmaputra Valley into two administrative zones. David Scott was associated with Western Assam, while Colonel Richards was associated with Eastern Assam. These areas became popularly known as Senior Khanda and Junior Khanda. (Jorhat District)

15. What was the headquarters of David Scott’s western administrative division?

A. Rangpur
B. Guwahati
C. Jorhat
D. Sivasagar

Correct Answer: B. Guwahati

Explanation:
David Scott’s western administrative division had its headquarters at Guwahati. His appointment on 28 February 1826 represented one of the first organised stages of British civil administration following the treaty. (Jorhat District)

16. What was the headquarters of the British administration of Eastern Assam under the initial post-1826 arrangement?

A. Rangpur
B. Guwahati
C. Goalpara
D. Nagaon

Correct Answer: A. Rangpur

Explanation:
Rangpur, the former Ahom capital associated with present-day Sivasagar, served as the headquarters of the Junior Commissioner responsible for Eastern Assam. This division formed part of the transitional administrative structure established after Burmese withdrawal. (Jorhat District)

17. The terms “Senior Khanda” and “Junior Khanda” were associated with what?

A. Two Ahom military regiments
B. Two early British administrative divisions in Assam
C. Two Burmese provinces
D. Two revenue settlements introduced in 1874

Correct Answer: B. Two early British administrative divisions in Assam

Explanation:
The terms referred popularly to the two administrative areas created after the British expelled the Burmese. The western division was under the senior officer, David Scott, while the eastern division was under the junior commissioner. (GMDA Assam)

18. Which British official became the first Junior Commissioner in charge of Eastern Assam in 1826?

A. Colonel Richards
B. David Scott
C. Sir Archibald Campbell
D. Captain Adam White

Correct Answer: A. Colonel Richards

Explanation:
Colonel Richards became the first Junior Commissioner in charge of Eastern Assam, with headquarters at Rangpur. His appointment formed part of the initial administrative organisation following the Treaty of Yandabo. (Jorhat District)

19. Which broader British administrative development occurred in Assam in 1874?

A. Assam was restored to the Ahom monarchy
B. Assam became a separate Chief Commissionership
C. Assam became part of Burma
D. Assam became a princely state

Correct Answer: B. Assam became a separate Chief Commissionership

Explanation:
In 1874, Assam was detached from the administrative control of Bengal and constituted as a separate Chief Commissionership. This was a later administrative consequence of the colonial transformation that began after 1826. (Assam Archives)

20. Which sequence correctly represents the major political transition?

A. Treaty of Yandabo → Burmese occupation → First Anglo-Burmese War → British entry
B. Ahom decline → Burmese dominance → First Anglo-Burmese War → Treaty of Yandabo → British administration
C. British administration → Moamoria Rebellion → Burmese invasion → Yandabo
D. Burmese withdrawal → Ahom restoration → First Anglo-Burmese War → Yandabo

Correct Answer: B. Ahom decline → Burmese dominance → First Anglo-Burmese War → Treaty of Yandabo → British administration

Explanation:
This sequence is essential for examination preparation. The Ahom kingdom had already been weakened by internal conflicts; Burmese forces subsequently established dominance; the First Anglo-Burmese War began in 1824; the Treaty of Yandabo ended the war in February 1826; and British administrative control was then consolidated in Assam.

21. Which date is correctly associated with the appointment of David Scott after the Treaty of Yandabo?

A. 24 February 1826
B. 28 February 1826
C. 28 March 1826
D. 15 August 1826

Correct Answer: B. 28 February 1826

Explanation:
David Scott was appointed first Senior Commissioner of Western Assam and Agent to the Governor-General on 28 February 1826, only days after the Treaty of Yandabo. His headquarters were at Guwahati. (Jorhat District)

22. What did the Treaty of Yandabo signify in the history of the northeastern frontier?

A. The end of Burmese westward expansion into the region
B. The beginning of Mughal expansion
C. The restoration of the Ahom Empire
D. The end of British influence in eastern India

Correct Answer: A. The end of Burmese westward expansion into the region

Explanation:
The treaty significantly curtailed Burmese expansion westward. In relation to Assam, Burma renounced its claims and agreed not to interfere in the principality of Assam and its dependencies. This allowed British political and administrative influence to expand across the region. (Jorhat District)

23. Which source is particularly valuable for studying the documentary history of the Treaty of Yandabo?

A. Assam State Archives
B. Only temple inscriptions
C. Only modern newspapers
D. Only oral traditions

Correct Answer: A. Assam State Archives

Explanation:
The Assam State Archives preserves extensive records relating to the period beginning in 1826. Its holdings include political-history files covering 1826–1947, manuscript volumes from 1823–1874, Assam Commissioner records and other government correspondence. These materials help researchers reconstruct the transition from pre-colonial to colonial administration. (Assam Archives)

24. What do the Assam State Archives’ manuscript records of 1823–1874 help document?

A. Only religious ceremonies
B. The beginning of modern administration in Assam
C. Only post-independence politics
D. Only archaeological excavations

Correct Answer: B. The beginning of modern administration in Assam

Explanation:
The Assam State Archives explains that its manuscript records from 1823–1874 document the beginning of modern administration in Assam. They include correspondence concerning the northeastern frontier, political and administrative conditions, geography, resources, trade routes and commercial possibilities. (Assam Archives)

25. Which cultural-historical evidence can complement written records when studying the transition from Ahom to British rule?

A. Ahom archaeological monuments and heritage sites
B. Only European paintings
C. Only modern government buildings
D. Only twentieth-century newspapers

Correct Answer: A. Ahom archaeological monuments and heritage sites

Explanation:
Archaeological and architectural remains such as the Charaideo Maidams, Rang Ghar and Talatal Ghar provide material evidence for understanding the political and cultural world of the Ahom period that preceded British rule. They do not directly constitute treaty documents, but they help establish the historical context in which the political transition occurred.

26. Which statement correctly distinguishes the Treaty of Yandabo from the later administrative reorganisation of Assam?

A. The treaty itself created the Chief Commissionership of Assam in 1874
B. The treaty ended the Anglo-Burmese War, while later British measures progressively reorganised Assam administratively
C. The treaty was passed by the Assam Legislative Assembly in 1874
D. The treaty created the province of Eastern Bengal and Assam in 1905

Correct Answer: B. The treaty ended the Anglo-Burmese War, while later British measures progressively reorganised Assam administratively

Explanation:
Yandabo belongs to 1826, while the separate Chief Commissionership was established in 1874, and the province of Eastern Bengal and Assam was created following the 1905 partition of Bengal. These events should not be conflated. The Assam State Archives provides a useful chronology of these later constitutional and administrative changes. (Assam Archives)

27. Which event occurred immediately after the conclusion of the Treaty of Yandabo?

A. Assam became a Governor’s Province
B. David Scott was appointed Senior Commissioner of Western Assam
C. Assam was partitioned in 1905
D. Assam became a Chief Commissionership

Correct Answer: B. David Scott was appointed Senior Commissioner of Western Assam

Explanation:
The Treaty was concluded on 24 February 1826, and on 28 February 1826, David Scott was appointed Senior Commissioner of Western Assam and Agent to the Governor-General. This shows how rapidly the British moved from wartime operations towards organised civil administration. (Jorhat District)

28. Which statement best summarises the historical importance of the Treaty of Yandabo for Assam?

A. It was merely a military ceasefire with no long-term consequence
B. It marked a decisive transition from Burmese dominance to British political control
C. It restored the Ahom kingdom to its eighteenth-century boundaries
D. It established Assam as an independent kingdom

Correct Answer: B. It marked a decisive transition from Burmese dominance to British political control

Explanation:
The treaty was a watershed in Assam’s political history. It ended the First Anglo-Burmese War, removed Burmese claims over Assam and created the conditions for the establishment of British administration. The subsequent colonial system developed gradually rather than appearing fully formed on the date of the treaty. (Assam Archives)

Targeting Exams

Assam State-Level Exams

APSC Combined Competitive Examination
Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE)
Assam Police Recruitment Examinations
Assam TET
Assam Forest Department Examinations

National-Level Exams

UPSC Civil Services Examination
SSC Examinations
Railway Recruitment Examinations

Teaching & Academic Exams

CTET
State TET Examinations
UGC-NET History

Other Competitive Exams

Assam History and General Knowledge examinations
Northeast India-focused competitive examinations
University entrance examinations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What was the Treaty of Yandabo?

The Treaty of Yandabo was the peace settlement that ended the First Anglo-Burmese War and was concluded on 24 February 1826. (Jorhat District)

2. Why is the Treaty of Yandabo important in Assam history?

It ended Burmese claims over Assam and created the conditions for the gradual establishment of British political and administrative control. (Assam Archives)

3. Who led the British forces during the First Anglo-Burmese War?

Sir Archibald Campbell was the principal British military commander associated with the war and the treaty negotiations. (British Library Archives)

4. What did Burma agree to regarding Assam?

Burma renounced its claims and agreed to abstain from future interference with Assam and its dependencies. (Jorhat District)

5. When did Assam come under British rule?

Following the end of the First Burmese War in 1826, the whole of Assam gradually came under British rule. (Assam Archives)

6. Who was David Scott?

David Scott was an important early British administrator who became the first Senior Commissioner of Western Assam and Agent to the Governor-General in February 1826. (Jorhat District)

7. What were Senior Khanda and Junior Khanda?

They were popular names for the two initial British administrative divisions of the Brahmaputra Valley after the Burmese were expelled. (GMDA Assam)

8. When did Assam become a separate Chief Commissionership?

Assam was detached from Bengal and made a separate Chief Commissionership in 1874. (Assam Archives)

9. What archival sources can help researchers study the treaty and its aftermath?

The Assam State Archives holds political-history files from 1826–1947, as well as manuscript and administrative records beginning in the early nineteenth century. (Assam Archives)

10. What is the cultural significance of studying the Ahom heritage alongside the Treaty of Yandabo?

Ahom monuments and archaeological remains provide material context for the political system and culture that existed before the British takeover, complementing written documentary evidence.

External Links & Authoritative Sources

Directorate of Archives, Government of Assam – Our History — Official chronology of Assam’s transition from the end of the First Burmese War in 1826 through the later colonial administrative changes. (Assam Archives)
Jorhat District, Government of Assam – History of Jorhat — Provides the official account of the Treaty of Yandabo, its date, Burmese renunciation of claims and the appointments of David Scott and Colonel Richards. (Jorhat District)
Assam State Archives – Holdings — Useful primary-source repository containing political-history files, manuscripts, commissioner records and other colonial administrative documents. (Assam Archives)
Assam State Archives – Manuscript Collections — Contains records from 1823–1874 documenting the political and administrative development of Assam during the early colonial period. (Assam Archives)
British Library – The Burmese War 1823–1828 — Archival catalogue containing correspondence concerning the First Anglo-Burmese War and the conclusion of the Treaty of Yandabo on 24 February 1826. (British Library Archives)
Government of Assam – Guwahati Historical Account — Provides historical information about the British occupation of Guwahati, the post-war administrative divisions and Senior/Junior Khanda. (GMDA Assam)

Quick Revision Table

Date/Year	Event	Exam Significance
1819	Burmese dominance established over the Ahom kingdom	Background to British intervention
1824	First Anglo-Burmese War began	Immediate military context
28 March 1824	British occupied Guwahati	Important Assam chronology
1825	Burmese forces expelled from Assam	British military advance
24 February 1826	Treaty of Yandabo concluded	End of First Anglo-Burmese War
28 February 1826	David Scott appointed Senior Commissioner	Beginning of organised British administration
1826	Assam gradually came under British rule	Beginning of colonial transformation
1874	Assam became a separate Chief Commissionership	Major later administrative change

Key exam formula:
Ahom decline → Burmese expansion → First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826) → Treaty of Yandabo (24 February 1826) → British administration in Assam. (Assam Archives)