British Expansion & Administrative Reforms MCQs

📘 MODULE 3: Modern Indian History & Freedom Movement MCQs

Topic: British Expansion & Administrative Reforms MCQs

🔷 SUB-TOPIC I: Early British Expansion (1757–1764)

Q1. The Battle of Plassey (1757) was fought between the British and:

A. Mir Qasim
B. Siraj-ud-Daulah
C. Shah Alam II
D. Shuja-ud-Daulah

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The British East India Company defeated the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, marking the foundation of British political power in India.

Q2. Who led the British forces in the Battle of Plassey?

A. Warren Hastings
B. Robert Clive
C. Lord Cornwallis
D. Lord Wellesley

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Robert Clive used diplomacy and conspiracy to secure British victory.

Q3. The Battle of Buxar (1764) was significant because it:

A. Ended Mughal rule
B. Confirmed British supremacy in North India
C. Established dual government
D. Abolished zamindari system

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The British defeated the combined forces of Mir Qasim, Shah Alam II, and Shuja-ud-Daulah.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC II: Revenue & Administrative Control

Q4. The Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa was granted to the Company in:

A. 1757
B. 1765
C. 1772
D. 1793

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The Company gained the right to collect revenue, strengthening its financial base.

Q5. Who introduced the Dual Government in Bengal?

A. Robert Clive
B. Robert Clive
C. Warren Hastings
D. Cornwallis

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Dual Government separated revenue collection and administration, causing misrule.

Q6. The Dual Government in Bengal was abolished by:

A. Clive
B. Warren Hastings
C. Cornwallis
D. Wellesley

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Warren Hastings ended the system in 1772 to centralize authority.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC III: Regulating Acts & Early Reforms

Q7. The Regulating Act of 1773 was important because it:

A. Ended Company rule
B. Made the Governor of Bengal the Governor-General
C. Introduced Indian representation
D. Abolished trade monopoly

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It was the first step toward parliamentary control over the Company.

Q8. Who became the first Governor-General of India?

A. Robert Clive
B. Warren Hastings
C. Cornwallis
D. Bentinck

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Warren Hastings served from 1773 to 1785.

Q9. The Pitt’s India Act was passed in:

A. 1773
B. 1784
C. 1784
D. 1793

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
It established dual control of the Company by the British government.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC IV: Administrative & Judicial Reforms

Q10. The Permanent Settlement of Bengal was introduced in:

A. 1772
B. 1793
C. 1813
D. 1833

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It fixed land revenue permanently with zamindars.

Q11. The Permanent Settlement was introduced by:

A. Hastings
B. Lord Cornwallis
C. Wellesley
D. Dalhousie

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Cornwallis aimed to create a loyal landed aristocracy.

Q12. Cornwallis is best known for introducing:

A. Subsidiary Alliance
B. Civil service reforms and rule of law
C. Doctrine of Lapse
D. Vernacular press control

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
He separated judiciary from executive functions.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC V: British Expansionist Policies

Q13. The Subsidiary Alliance system was introduced by:

A. Cornwallis
B. Hastings
C. Lord Wellesley
D. Dalhousie

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Indian rulers accepted British troops and lost sovereignty.

Q14. Which state was the first to accept Subsidiary Alliance?

A. Mysore
B. Hyderabad
C. Awadh
D. Maratha Confederacy

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The Nizam of Hyderabad accepted it in 1798.

Q15. The main objective of Subsidiary Alliance was to:

A. Promote trade
B. Expand British political control
C. Improve administration
D. Spread education

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It reduced Indian rulers to dependent allies.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VI: Reforms of the 19th Century

Q16. The Charter Act of 1813 is important because it:

A. Ended Company rule
B. Ended Company’s trade monopoly except tea and China trade
C. Introduced elections
D. Abolished zamindari

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It allowed free trade in India.

Q17. Who introduced English education through reforms?

A. Cornwallis
B. Lord William Bentinck
C. Dalhousie
D. Wellesley

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Bentinck supported Macaulay’s Minute on Education (1835).

Q18. The abolition of Sati was carried out in:

A. 1820
B. 1829
C. 1835
D. 1848

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It was a major social reform under Bentinck.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VII: Doctrine of Lapse & Annexations

Q19. The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by:

A. Wellesley
B. Bentinck
C. Lord Dalhousie
D. Canning

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
States without natural heirs were annexed.

Q20. Which state was annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse?

A. Awadh
B. Jhansi
C. Hyderabad
D. Bengal

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Jhansi was annexed after the death of Raja Gangadhar Rao.

Q21. Awadh was annexed in 1856 on the grounds of:

A. Doctrine of Lapse
B. Subsidiary Alliance
C. Maladministration
D. Revolt

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
This annexation angered Indian nobility and sepoys.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VIII: Administrative Legacy & Impact

Q22. The British administrative system was primarily designed to:

A. Benefit Indians
B. Promote democracy
C. Serve colonial interests
D. End feudalism

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Administration focused on revenue extraction and control.

Q23. Which reform centralized administration in British India?

A. Permanent Settlement
B. Governor-General system
C. Ryotwari system
D. Mahalwari system

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It reduced autonomy of presidencies.

Q24. British expansion policies led to:

A. Political stability
B. Discontent among Indian rulers
C. Immediate nationalism
D. Industrial growth

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Annexations and interference caused resentment.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC IX: Toward Revolt of 1857

Q25. British administrative expansion ultimately led to:

A. Economic prosperity
B. The Revolt of 1857
C. Formation of INC
D. End of Company rule immediately

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Policies created political, economic, and social discontent.

Q26. The Revolt of 1857 ended:

A. Mughal rule
B. East India Company’s rule
C. Zamindari system
D. Subsidiary Alliance

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Company rule ended; Crown rule began.

Q27. After 1858, India came under the control of:

A. Parliament only
B. Governor-General
C. British Crown
D. East India Company

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Government of India Act, 1858 transferred power to the Crown.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC X: Historical Significance

Q28. British administrative reforms mainly aimed at:

A. Indian welfare
B. Efficient colonial governance
C. National integration
D. Social equality

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Efficiency served imperial interests.

Q29. Which policy most affected Indian sovereignty?

A. Permanent Settlement
B. Subsidiary Alliance
C. Charter Acts
D. Ryotwari system

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It reduced Indian states to dependent entities.

Q30. Historically, British expansion and reforms are important because they:

A. Modernized India fully
B. Laid the foundation of colonial rule and freedom struggle
C. Ended feudalism
D. Eliminated revolts

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
These policies triggered resistance leading to the national movement.

✅ Exam Relevance Note

These British Expansion & Administrative Reforms MCQs are strictly aligned with India-specific GK syllabi and are highly relevant for:

• UPSC & State PSC Examinations
• SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS)
• Banking & Railway Exams
• UG & PG Entrance Tests
• School & Board Exams (CBSE & State Boards)
• University & Competitive Examinations across India

• British expansion in India MCQs

• Administrative reforms under British rule MCQs

• East India Company expansion GK questions

• Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse MCQs

• Regulating Act Pitt’s India Act MCQs

• Modern Indian history British reforms MCQs

• UPSC prelims British administration MCQs

• Colonial administration in India GK

⭐

The British Expansion & Administrative Reforms MCQs provide a clear, chronological, and exam-oriented understanding of how the British East India Company expanded its control and introduced administrative, revenue, and judicial reforms in India. Carefully aligned with India-specific GK syllabi, these MCQs strengthen conceptual clarity, factual accuracy, and prelims readiness, making them ideal for school, university, and competitive examinations across India.

❓ FAQ Section

Q1. Why are British expansion and administrative reforms important for exams?

They explain the foundation of British colonial rule and are frequently asked in UPSC, PSC, SSC, and other competitive exams.

Q2. Which British expansion policies are most important for prelims?

Subsidiary Alliance, Doctrine of Lapse, wars of expansion, and annexation of Indian states are high-weightage topics.

Q3. Which administrative reforms are most relevant for competitive exams?

Regulating Act (1773), Pitt’s India Act (1784), Permanent Settlement, Charter Acts, and judicial reforms are most important.

Q4. Are these MCQs suitable for UPSC Prelims and State PSC exams?

Yes. The questions are fact-based, NCERT-aligned, and designed specifically for prelims-level practice.

Q5. How should students revise British administrative reforms effectively?

Focus on chronology, objectives, outcomes of reforms, and practise topic-wise MCQs with explanations.

🎯 Targeting Exams

These British Expansion & Administrative Reforms MCQs are specially designed for preparation of:

• UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims)

• State Public Service Commission (PSC) Exams

• SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS)

• Banking Exams (IBPS, SBI, RBI)

• Railway Recruitment Exams

• Teaching Eligibility Tests (CTET, State TETs)

• UG & PG Entrance Examinations

• School & Board Exams (CBSE & State Boards)