Relevant Titles
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Class 11 History MCQs: Policies of Land Seizure & Displacement — NCERT-Aligned Practice
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CBSE Class 11 Online Quiz — Land Seizure Policies and Indigenous Displacement (60 MCQs)
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NCERT-Based MCQs: Land Policies, Dispossession and Resistance — CBSE Class 11 History
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Free CBSE Class 11 Test: Policies of Land Seizure and Their Impact on Indigenous Peoples
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Prepare for CBSE History: 60 MCQs on Colonial Land Seizure, Reservations & Displacement
Introduction Paragraph
The Policies of Land Seizure and Displacement shaped the social and economic contours of modern colonised states and are a crucial part of the CBSE Class 11 History syllabus. This NCERT-aligned online practice test contains objective MCQs that focus on legal doctrines, administrative measures, economic incentives, and social consequences of land appropriation used during colonial expansion. Students preparing for CBSE board exams will gain targeted practice on themes such as terra nullius, the Doctrine of Discovery, homestead and allotment policies, treaties and reserves, and the long-term consequences of dispossession. Each question in this 60-item timed quiz includes clear feedback and concise explanations to help learners correct misconceptions and strengthen conceptual understanding. Use the quiz to test recall, improve accuracy under exam conditions, and build confidence in interpreting the causes and effects of land seizure policies. Completing this practice will help you link NCERT concepts to exam-style questions and improve readiness for the CBSE Class 11 History paper.
Sample MCQs with Explanations
Q1. Which colonial legal concept was commonly used to justify seizing Indigenous land by declaring it unoccupied?
A. Manifest Destiny B. Terra Nullius C. Common Land Act D. Doctrine of Consent
Answer: B. Terra Nullius
Explanation: Terra Nullius (land belonging to no one) was applied by colonial authorities—especially in Australia—to deny Indigenous ownership and legitimise appropriation.
Q2. Which 19th-century U.S. law encouraged settler migration by granting small parcels of public land to applicants?
A. Indian Removal Act B. Homestead Act C. Navigation Act D. Corn Laws
Answer: B. Homestead Act
Explanation: The Homestead Act (1862) granted settlers land on condition of cultivation and residence, accelerating westward settlement and Indigenous displacement.
Q3. The Dawes Act (Allotment) in the United States aimed to:
A. Preserve communal tribal lands B. Allocate individual plots to Indigenous families C. Create national parks only D. Grant full citizenship to all Indigenous peoples
Answer: B. Allocate individual plots to Indigenous families
Explanation: The Dawes Act fragmented communal landholding into private allotments to encourage assimilation; surplus lands were opened to settlers.
Q4. Which government action often accompanied land seizure to weaken Indigenous social structure and resistance?
A. Investment in Indigenous self-governance B. Forced schooling and bans on cultural practices C. Immediate land restitution D. Universal franchise for Indigenous peoples
Answer: B. Forced schooling and bans on cultural practices
Explanation: Policies such as residential schools and bans on ceremonies undermined cultural continuity and reduced organized resistance to land loss.
Q5. What legal remedy has been used in many countries to address historical dispossession of Indigenous lands?
A. Native title recognition and land claims settlements B. Reinstatement of Terra Nullius C. Permanent denial of all claims D. Universal private ownership for settlers
Answer: A. Native title recognition and land claims settlements
Explanation: Modern courts and negotiated settlements (e.g., native title cases) provide partial redress by recognising Indigenous customary rights and awarding restitution or compensation.